BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a safety boot. Particularly, the present invention relates to a safety boot with a quick release closure arrangement, and an external metatarsal guard. More specifically, the invention relates to a safety boot specifically adapted for use in hot metal smelter and furnace operations.

Safety boots form part of personal protective equipment (PPE) and are frequently used by personnel working in, or being exposed to, hazardous environments. The safety boots are specifically adapted for the type of hazards likely to be encountered in the working environment. For example, safety boots used in mining or by workers working on industrial plants or workshops often have reinforced toe caps, to prevent falling objects from causing injury to the toes or metatarsal bones in the foot.

In the case of boots worn by firefighters, safety boots are required to provide protection against radiant heat and flames. Furthermore, the safety boots need to be easy and quick to be donned, to save critical time when responding to emergency situations. Furthermore, firefighters generally limit the time spent in their full kits as much as possible and puts off donning their full trousers and safety boots for as long as possible. Therefore, the time taken to put the safety boots on, is critical. In the case of safety boots specifically adapted for use in hot metal smelter and/or furnace operations (in the remainder of this disclosure referred to as “smelter boots”), the main objectives of the smelter boots are to protect the wearer against direct exposure to molten metal at temperatures of up to a 1000°C or even higher, or to protect the wearer against ingress of molten liquid or hot objects into the top of the boot, or at least, to minimize injury in cases of such ingress.

In order to effectively minimize injury in cases of such ingress, the smelter boots need to be easily removable. As injury is caused by the transfer of heat from the hot object to the person of the wearer, the exposure or direct contact of the wearer to the hot object needs to be absolutely minimized.

Known smelter boots have “quick release” mechanisms, but these suffer from known drawbacks. Typically, the quick release mechanisms used in current smelter boots fail to enable quick enough removal of the smelter boot from the feet of the wearer, thereby worsening the injuries caused by the hot object.

Another common hazard faced by workers in hot metal smelter facilities, is a tripping/slipping/falling hazard where at least one of the wearer’s feet enter a pot of molten metal. The smelter boots typically are designed to provide protection for the wearer, even in cases where the feet are immersed in 150 mm deep molten metal.

Again, once the wearer escapes, or is dragged away from the liquid metal, the shoes need to be removed as quickly as possible. However, in these circumstances, the quick release mechanisms of known smelter boots have a tendency to malfunction, due to damage caused by the hot liquid metal.

It will be appreciated that, due to the nature of the protection that needs to be provided by the smelter boots as aforementioned, the smelter boots typically have fairly high shafts, to protect the wearer’s feet, ankles, and lower portions of their legs. The shoe needs to be laced up tightly enough, to ensure wearability thereof under normal operating circumstances.

It will therefore be appreciated that, in cases of distress, and should the quick release mechanism fail as mentioned above, the smelter boots cannot easily be removed, and certainly not quickly enough, thereby aggravating injuries caused by the incident.

From the above, it will clearly be understood that a fireman’s boot and a smelter boot belong to two very separate and distinct classes. Furthermore, the objectives sought to be achieved by these different classes differ completely. Whereas a fireman’s boot needs to be easily donned, a smelter boot needs to be easily removed, even in cases where the boot has been severely damaged.

These obvious and dramatic differences between a fireman’s boot and a smelter boot, steer the person skilled in the art away from applying principles found in the one type of boot, in the other.

It is an object of this invention to provide a smelter boot which will, at least partially, address the above disadvantages of known smelter boots.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a smelter boot which will be a useful alternative to existing smelter boots.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a smelter boot including a closure arrangement which comprises: a first upper portion and a second upper portion, separated by a first opening; a third upper portion separated from the second upper portion by a second opening; a first binding arrangement for releasably and adjustably retaining the first and second upper portions relative to each other; and a quick release closure mechanism for releasably binding the second and third upper portions relative to each other, wherein the first binding arrangement is configured to allow the first and second upper portions to be released from each other, when the first binding arrangement is exposed to a predetermined temperature.

The quick-release closure mechanism may take the form of a zipper.

The first binding arrangement may take the form of a first cord. Opposing edge regions of the first and second upper portions may be provided with eyelets or hooks through which the first cord may be sequentially wound.

In use, the first cord may be tightened, thereby to bind the first and second upper portions together and may be fastened. A first cord lock may be provided for fastening the tightened first cord in use. The first cord lock may be a spring-loaded cord lock.

The first upper portion may take the form of a first lace guard.

The first cord may be manufactured from a material which burns away or melts when exposed to a predetermined temperature or a temperature above the predetermined temperature. The closure arrangement may furthermore comprise a fourth upper portion separated from the third upper portion by a third opening, wherein a second binding arrangement is provided for releasably and adjustably retaining the third and fourth upper portions relative to each other.

The second binding arrangement may be configured to allow the third and fourth upper portions to be released from each other, when the second binding arrangement is exposed to the predetermined temperature.

The second binding arrangement may take the form of a second cord. Opposing edge regions of the third and fourth upper portions may be provided with eyelets or hooks through which the second cord may be sequentially wound.

In use, the second cord may be tightened, thereby to bind the third and fourth upper portions together and may be fastened. A second cord lock may be provided for fastening the tightened second cord in use. The second cord lock may be a spring-loaded cord lock.

The fourth upper portion may take the form of a second lace guard.

The second cord may be manufactured from a material which burns away when exposed to a predetermined temperature or a temperature above the predetermined temperature.

The first and third openings may extend substantially parallel to each other.

A tongue may extend between the first and forth upper portions. In use, the second and third upper portions may be arranged on top of the tongue, and between the first and fourth upper portions. The tongue may form a gusset between two of the upper portions, such as between the first and fourth upper portions. In cases where no fourth upper portion is present, the tongue may form a gusset between the first and third upper portions. The second and third upper portions may be formed from a single piece of flexible material, with a central slit which constitutes the second opening. The single piece of flexible material may constitute an intermediate upper portion.

The second and third upper portions may be held in position relative to the first and fourth upper portions respectively, by the first and second binding arrangements.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a smelter boot including a closure arrangement which comprises: a first upper portion and a second upper portion, separated by a first opening; and a first binding arrangement for releasably and adjustably retaining the first and second upper portions relative to each other, wherein the first binding arrangement is configured to allow the first and second upper portions to be released from each other, when the first binding arrangement is exposed to a predetermined temperature.

The first binding arrangement may take the form of a first cord. Opposing edge regions of the first and second upper portions may be provided with eyelets or hooks through which the first cord may be sequentially wound.

In use, the first cord may be tightened, thereby to bind the first and second upper portions together and may be fastened. A first cord lock may be provided for fastening the tightened first cord in use. The first cord lock may be a spring-loaded cord lock.

The first upper portion may take the form of a first lace guard.

The first cord may be manufactured from a material which burns away or melts when exposed to a predetermined temperature or a temperature above the predetermined temperature. The closure arrangement may comprise a third upper portion, separated from the second upper portion by a second opening. A second binding arrangement may be provided for releasably and adjustably retaining the second and third upper portions relative to each other.

The second binding arrangement may be configured to allow the second and third upper portions to be released from each other, when the second binding arrangement is exposed to a predetermined temperature.

The second binding arrangement may take the form of a second cord. Opposing edge regions of the second and third upper portions may be provided with eyelets or hooks through which the second cord may be sequentially wound.

In use, the second cord may be tightened, thereby to bind the second and third upper portions together and may be fastened. A second cord lock may be provided for fastening the tightened second cord in use. The second cord lock may be a spring-loaded cord lock.

The third upper portion may take the form of a second lace guard.

The second cord may be manufactured from a material which burns away or melts when exposed to a temperature not exceeding the predetermined temperature.

The first and second openings may extend substantially parallel to each other.

The second upper portion may constitute an intermediate upper portion, in use, arranged between the first and third upper portions.

The smelter boot in accordance with any one of the above aspects of the invention may furthermore comprise an external metatarsal guard. The external metatarsal guard may be fixed to an outer surface of the smelter boot, towards a toe portion thereof.

The metatarsal guard may be formed from a flexible material and may be displaceable between an open and a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the metatarsal guard may extend substantially over a front and top facing portion of the smelter boot and may extend substantially over the closure arrangement.

The metatarsal guard may have fixing means for releasably fixing an upper part thereof relative to an upper portion of the shaft of the smelter boot. The fixing means may comprise a hook and loop formation arranged between the metatarsal guard and the upper portion of the shaft of the smelter boot.

The metatarsal guard may comprise a first and second lateral tab portion, each for extending at least partially around a respective side of the upper portion of the shaft of the smelter boot. Each of the first and second lateral tab portions may be fitted with one of a hook and a loop formation, for interacting with another one of a hook and loop formation, fixed to a respective side of the upper portion of the shaft of the smelter boot.

The metatarsal guard may comprise a first and second portion, separated by an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion may be more flexible than the first or second portions of the metatarsal guard.

At least one of the first and/or the second portions of the metatarsal guard may be reinforced. The reinforcement of the at least first and/or second portions of the metatarsal guards may be provided by a first and/or a second backing plate, fixed to an operatively inner surface of the metatarsal guard.

The first and/or second backing plates may be manufactured from relatively rigid material. The first and/or second backing plates may be manufactured from one of a plastic and a metallic plate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a smelter boot in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the smelter boot of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a front and top perspective view of the smelter boot of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a front view of the smelter boot of Figure 1 , in which a metatarsal guard has been moved to a forward position to reveal a tightening arrangement of the smelter boot, wherein a first and second cords are tightened and fastened and wherein a zipper forming part of the tightening arrangement has been unzipped;

Figure 5 shows a front view of the smelter boot of Figure 1 , in which the metatarsal guard has been moved to a forward position to reveal the tightening arrangement of the smelter boot, wherein the first and second cords are tightened and fastened and wherein the zipper forming part of the tightening arrangement has been zipped-up, thereby to bind a second and third upper portion of the smelter boot relative to each other;

Figure 6 shows a top view of the smelter boot of Figure 1 ;

Figure 7 shows a side view of an example embodiment of the smelter boot in accordance with the invention;

Figure 8 shows a bottom perspective view of the smelter boot of Figure 7;

Figure 9 shows a front and top perspective view of the smelter boot of Figure 7;

Figure 10 shows a front view of the smelter boot of Figure 7, in which a metatarsal guard has been moved to a forward position to reveal a tightening arrangement of the smelter boot, wherein a first and second cords are tightened and fastened and wherein a zipper forming part of the tightening arrangement has been unzipped;

Figure 11 shows a front view of the smelter boot of Figure 7, in which the metatarsal guard has been moved to a forward position to reveal the tightening arrangement of the smelter boot, wherein the first and second cords are tightened and fastened and wherein the zipper forming part of the tightening arrangement has been zipped-up, thereby to bind a second and third upper portion of the smelter boot relative to each other; and

Figure 12 shows a top view of the smelter boot of Figure 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted", "connected", "engaged" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings and are thus intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members interposed therebetween and indirect connections between members in which one or more other members are interposed therebetween. Further, "connected" and "engaged" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. Additionally, the words "lower", "upper", "upward", "down" and "downward" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words or similar import. It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," and any singular use of any word, include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

Referring to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like features, a nonlimiting example of a smelter boot in accordance with the invention is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The smelter boot 10 (the smelter boot 10 is also hereinafter referred to simply as the “boot 10”) comprises a closure arrangement 12 which is best shown in figures 4 and 5.

The closure arrangement 12 is provided to close the upper part of the boot 10 around the leg of a wearer, and to tighten the boot 10 to the leg and/or foot. However, and as discussed in more detail below, the closure arrangement 12 is specifically configured as a quick releasing closure arrangement 12, for enabling the boot 10 to be removed quickly and easily from the foot of the wearer in different situations. The significance hereof will become more apparent from what follows.

The closure arrangement 12 comprises a first upper portion 14, a second upper portion 16, a third upper portion 18 and a fourth upper portion 20. Throughout this disclosure, “upper portions” refer to structural parts of the boot “lace guards” or structural parts situated towards the upper and frontfacing portions of the boot 10.

The first and second upper portions (14, 16) are separate from each other, along at least a portion of a length thereof, and are separated by a first opening. It will be understood that the first and second upper portions may in use be arranged to overlap at least partially. It will be understood that the relative positions of the first and second upper portions (14, 16) are adjustable to adjust the fit of the boot 10 around the foot and/or ankle and/or lower leg of the wearer.

A first binding arrangement, in the form of a first cord 24 is provided for binding the first and second upper portions (14, 16) together, and for adjusting the fit of the boot 10 as aforementioned. A number of eyelets or hooks 25 are arranged in a first end region of the first upper portion 14, and along a length of the first upper portion 14. A corresponding number of eyelets or hooks 25 are arranged in a first end region of the second upper portion 16, and along a length of the second upper portion.

The first cord 24 is therefore wound sequentially through eyelets 25 on the first and second upper portions (14, 16) such that the first cord is used to bind the first and second upper portions (14, 16) relative to each other.

The first cord 24 is tightened and fastened in position, by a first locking or fastening mechanism, in the form of a first spring-loaded cord lock 26 (of the known kind). In an alternative embodiment, the first cord may be tied towards a top end of the first and second upper portions, in known fashion, in order to fasten the first cord 24.

Importantly, and as is discussed in more detail below, the first cord 24 is manufactured from a material which burns away or melts when exposed to a predetermined temperature.

The third and fourth upper portions (18, 20) are substantially a mirror image of the first and second upper portions (14, 16). The third and fourth upper portions (18, 20) are therefore provided with a second cord 28 and a second cord lock 30, which functions in similar fashion as the first cord 24 and first cord lock 26. The third and fourth upper portions (18, 20) are therefore adjustable and can be tightened relative to each other and fastened, in similar fashion as the first and second upper portions (14, 16).

Therefore, the fit of the boot 10 is determined by the tightening and fastening of both the first and second cords (24, 28).

The second cord 28 is manufactured from a similar material as the first cord 24, which material burns away or melts when exposed to the predetermined temperature.

A third opening separates the third and fourth upper portions (18, 20).

A tongue or gusset 34 extends between the first and fourth upper portions (14, 20). Sides of the tongue or gusset 34 are fixed relative to the first and fourth upper portions (14, 20) respectively, preventing or inhibiting hot metal from entering into the boot 10 (in cases where the boot 10 is immersed in hot molten metal to a depth below a collar 36 of the boot 10).

The second and third upper portions (16, 18) are arranged in side-by-side fashion and have edges (38, 40) which define a second opening 42 (as shown in figure 4) when the second and third upper portions (16, 18) are pulled away from each other.

A quick release closure mechanism, in the form of a zipper 44 is provided between the second and third upper portions (16, 18) and provided to for binding the second and third (16, 18) upper portions together.

It will be appreciated that the zipper 44 may be used to configure the boot 10 in a “tightened” or “released” configuration, but that the zipper does not allow for adjustability of the fit of the boot relative to the foot, ankle, or leg of the wearer. Therefore, typically in use, the wearer will close the zipper 44 (therefore, configure it in the tightened configuration), adjust the fit of the boot 10 using the first and second cords (24, 28) and lock the cords in place using the first and second cord locks (26, 30). Thereafter, the boot 10 may easily be released or “undone” by releasing or lowering the zipper 44 to cause the second and third upper portions (16, 18) to move away from each other, defining the second opening 42. The boot 10 may now easily be removed from the foot of the wearer. If the boot 10 needs to be donned, the boot 10 can simply be placed over the foot of the wearer, and the zipper 44 closed. The fit of the boot 10 will now be as previously adjusted by the wearer.

It will be appreciated that the first and second cords (24, 28) may alternatively constitute first and second cord portions, formed as part of a single cord, which is wound between the first and second upper portions (14, 16), as well as between the third and fourth upper portions (18, 20). A middle section of the cord may span across a gap between first and fourth upper portions (14, 20).

In the example shown in the figures, the second and third upper portions (16, 18) are formed from a single and integral piece of flexible material, with a slit separating the second and third upper portions (16, 18). The single and integral piece of flexible material is therefore substantially U-shaped, and the second and third upper portions (16, 18) are independently displaceable (when the zipper 44 is not in in the tightened configuration).

The second and third upper portions (16, 18) are arranged between the first and fourth upper portions (14, 20) and in use, are arranged on top of the tongue or gusset 34 to form an intermediate upper portion.

The boot 10 furthermore comprises an externally fitted metatarsal guard 46 which is fitted to a frontal portion of the boot 10, proximate a toe box or toe cap 48 of the boot 10. The metatarsal guard 46 is manufactured from a flexible material, and can be displaced between a closed configuration, which is typically shown in figures 1 , 2 and 3, and an open or forward configuration, as shown in figures 4 and 5. When in the closed configuration, the metatarsal guard 46 extends over the closure arrangement 12. The metatarsal guard 46 has a first and second lateral tab portion (50, 52) which is used to fix the metatarsal guard 46 relative to an upper portion of a shaft 54 of the boot 10, when in the closed configuration.

A hook and loop arrangement (not shown) is provided between each of the first and second tabs (50, 52) and the upper portion of the shaft 54 for releasably retaining the first and second tabs (50, 52) relative to the shaft 54.

The metatarsal guard 46 has a first and second metatarsal portion (56, 58) separated by an intermediate metatarsal portion 60. The intermediate metatarsal portion 60 is more flexible than the first and second metatarsal portions (56, 58) to enhance the wearability of the boot 10 and to allow the foot of the user a wider range of motion while the boot is fitted to the foot.

The first and second metatarsal portions (56, 58) are reinforced by backing plates (such as a first backing plate 62 which is visible in figures 4 and 5) fixed to operative inner surfaces of the first and second metatarsal portions (56, 58) respectively. The backing plates lend structural integrity to the first and second metatarsal portions (56, 58). The backing plates are typically manufactured from a plastic or metallic material, which is relatively rigid (compared to the flexible material from which the metatarsal guard 46 is manufactured).

It will be appreciated that the closure arrangement 12 facilitates the quick releasing of the boot in various scenarios.

Firstly, in cases where a hot object, such as hot metal splatter, sparks, or the like, enters into the boot 10, and typically, in between the collar and a leg of the wearer, the boot can very quickly be removed, by undoing the zipper 44, which allows the second opening to open up, and quickly release the boot 10 from the foot. Secondly, in cases such as when the wearer has tripped or accidentally stepped into molten metal, and the boot has become submerged, the zipper 44 will most likely no longer function, and will not easily be openable. However, in such cases, the first and/or second cords (24, 28) (or first and second cord portions as the case may be), will come into contact with the hot molten liquid metal, which will cause the first and/or second cords (24, 28) to burn away or simply melt, thereby allowing the first and second upper portions (14, 16) and the third and fourth portions (18, 20) to separate or be released from each other, again allowing the boot 10 to be removed from the foot of the wearer.

It will be appreciated that this quick releasing of the closure arrangement 12 saves critical time in the removal of the boot 10, and thereby helps limit the extent of the damage or injuries caused to the wearer of the boot 10, as a result of its exposure to the hot object or substance.

Therefore, the cords which are selected to burn away or melt when exposed to a predetermined temperature, act as a secondary quick-release mechanism, which specifically functions in circumstances where the primary quick-release mechanism (namely the zipper 44) tends to fail. It must also be considered that, should the primary and secondary quick release mechanisms fail, cutting of the exposed cords to facilitate quick removal of the boot is a recognized method of removal.

It will be appreciated that the above description only provides an example embodiment of the invention and that there may be many variations without departing from the spirit and/or the scope of the invention. It is easily understood from the present application that the particular features of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, and designed according to a wide variety of different configurations. In this way, the description of the present invention and the related figures are not provided to limit the scope of the invention but simply represent selected embodiments. For example, specific aspects of the invention as disclosed herein may be taken as stand-alone aspects, even though disclosed as part of a combination of aspects. For example, this disclosure extends to a smelter boot of which the closure arrangement comprises the same anatomy as the closure arrangement 12, with the exception that the second and third upper portions are integrally formed, and therefore, no zipper 44 is present. In this variation, the primary quick release mechanism is therefore not present. However, the cords which are selected to burn away or melt when exposed to a predetermined temperature, to function as a quick-release mechanism when the boot is immersed in a body of molten metal, would still remain. In a further example, the closure arrangement only comprises a first and a second upper portion (therefore no intermediate upper portion is present), and the cord used to bind the first and second upper portions together may again be selected to burn away or melt when exposed to a predetermined temperature, to function as a quick-release mechanism when the boot is immersed in a body of molten metal.

The skilled person will understand that the technical characteristics of a given embodiment can in fact be combined with characteristics of another embodiment, unless otherwise expressed or it is evident that these characteristics are incompatible. Also, the technical characteristics described in a given embodiment can be isolated from the other characteristics of this embodiment unless otherwise expressed.