VF has filed a patent for a protective toe cap for footwear. The toe cap includes strain hardened portions that strengthen and reinforce the cap against impact, while also allowing for a lightweight and streamlined design. The patent also outlines a method of manufacturing the toe cap using a sheet of metal and a mold with pressing surfaces. The cap is hardened and tempered to produce the final product. GlobalData’s report on VF gives a 360-degree view of the company including its patenting strategy. Buy the report here.
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A method of manufacturing a protective toe cap
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A recently filed patent (Publication Number: US20230276895A1) describes a method for manufacturing a protective toe cap. The method involves several steps to produce a hardened and tempered toe cap.
The first step of the method involves providing a sheet of metal. The metal can be aluminum, steel, magnesium, titanium, or an alloy of these materials.
Next, a mold with two pressing surfaces is used. At least one of the pressing surfaces has a protrusion. The sheet of metal is pressed between the two surfaces, resulting in a hemi-dome shaped body. The pressing process creates strain hardened portions in the body, which enhance its protective properties.
After pressing, the hemi-dome shaped body is hardened by heating it to a temperature between 500°C and 550°C. The body is maintained at this temperature for a period of 60 to 100 minutes. This heating process transforms the body into a hardened state.
Following the hardening step, the hardened hemi-dome shaped body is tempered. Tempering involves heating the body to a temperature between 150°C and 200°C. The body is maintained at this temperature for a period of 10 to 20 hours. Tempering further enhances the strength and durability of the toe cap.
Overall, this method provides a process for manufacturing a protective toe cap with specific properties. The use of a sheet of metal and the pressing, hardening, and tempering steps result in a toe cap that is strong and resistant to impact. The method allows for the use of various metals and alloys, providing flexibility in material selection. Additionally, the pressing step can be conducted at room temperature or lower, making it a versatile and efficient manufacturing process.
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GlobalData Patent Analytics tracks bibliographic data, legal events data, point in time patent ownerships, and backward and forward citations from global patenting offices. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
