Inventors:
Leland B. M. Siskind - North Andover MA
William A. Samaha - Haverhill MA
Thayer S. Warshaw - Needham Heights MA
International Classification:
A43C 1314
Abstract:
An improved toe guard for footwear and footwear so made are disclosed. The toe guard is non-metallic, reducing thereby risks associated with electrical shocks and the detonation of land mines. Preferably, the final composite from which the toe guard is molded is produced from an intermediate composite that is extruded while molten in strips from a die at the same time that fibers are advanced through the die together with and enveloped by the extruded strips. These strips are cut into predetermined lengths and the resulting sections are mixed and compacted in their molten state to provide the composite for the toe guard, this composite being such that the fiber is distributed in groups, adjacent increments of the strands of a given group being substantially parallel, but the strands of different groups being at random angles with respect to each other. Preferably, the toe guard is formed with a long top portion to provide protection extending beyond the toes. The toe guard either is formed with no flange, with a flange of various widths or with a full bottom portion.