HK1077984B - Outsole - Google Patents

Description

Outer sole

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an outsole which is elastically deformable in a tangential direction, particularly for use in sports shoes.

In this context, tangential deformation is understood to mean, for example, a deformation caused by shearing in a direction tangential or parallel to the plane of the outsole or to the outer surface of the outsole. Different from this deformation is a deformation in a direction orthogonal to the plane of the outsole or the outer surface of the outsole, for example caused by compression. On a horizontal basis, the tangential direction substantially coincides with the horizontal direction, while the orthogonal direction substantially coincides with the vertical direction.

Background

Soles with resilient outsoles are known in large numbers and in a wide variety, wherein various elastic materials with different hardness are used. Outsoles with embedded air or gel pads are also known. These pads will reduce the load that occurs while running, thereby protecting the runner's moving organs, particularly its joints, and providing a snug and enjoyable running experience.

Most of the sports shoes currently available for sports purposes have spring characteristics which provide elasticity when the outsole is compressed, mainly in the vertical direction or in the direction orthogonal to the running plane, however, the outsole is relatively rigid in the horizontal or tangential direction and does not yield sufficiently if it contacts the ground obliquely or with a slight push. The reason for the latter is that a large deformation of the outsole in the horizontal direction inevitably produces a floating effect which will have a negative effect on the stability of the runner. At the very least, the runner will lose a certain distance at each step, because the outsole first deforms slightly in the opposite direction each time it is pushed away from the touchdown point in the desired direction of movement. Of course, this floating effect is already present to some extent in known sports shoes.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the present invention is to provide an outsole which, with a simpler construction, avoids the aforementioned floating effect and can be formed sufficiently flexible and resilient in the tangential direction.

This object is achieved by an outsole which is elastically deformable also in the tangential direction, characterized in that the outsole is substantially rigid against tangential deformation only beyond at least a certain critical point of deformation in a region in which this point has been reached.

With a suitable adjustment of the hardness or elasticity of the outsole, with a suitable selection of at least one critical point of deformation and the load of the outsole necessary for this, it is possible to achieve that the outsole according to the invention is also tangentially flexible and elastic over a large deformation range, and that the locally limited critical point of deformation during running is only reached in the region of the outsole where the maximum load is applied each time and only at the moment when this maximum load occurs.

Thus, on the one hand, sufficient damping is achieved in the event of oblique and/or slightly pushing ground contact, and on the other hand, a safer standing at the respective contact and load points is also achieved, from which the runner can push away directly without loss of path. This avoids the floating effect described above.

Obviously, the so-called critical point of deformation, which terminates the tangential deformability of the outsole according to the invention, depends on the type of deformation, according to the construction. The deformation need not be tangential only. The deformation threshold can also be reached at purely orthogonal or perpendicular deformations.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the critical point of deformation is reached only after the tangential and/or orthogonal deformation path is greater than 20% or even greater than 50% of the deformable thickness of the outsole, the absolute value of which can be completely several centimeters.

The principle according to the invention can in principle be implemented in various ways, both in terms of construction and material technology. Various embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings. As a preferred embodiment, only an embodiment is emphasized here in which, for example, two layers of the outsole are separated by a particularly elastically deformable element, and in which the deformable element, with sufficiently large deformation, can bring about frictional, force-fitting and/or form-fitting contact of the two layers with one another, and substantially suppress a parallel displacement of the two layers.

In a development of the invention, the outsole can be provided with means for detachable fastening to the mid-sole of the sports shoe. If the outsole is embodied in several parts in this case, its individual parts can be installed independently of one another and/or can be individually replaced, for example when worn. In this case, differently formed portions and/or individual designs may also be provided, which are particularly adapted to the individual needs and running style of the individual runner.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side view of a sports shoe having an outsole according to a first embodiment of the present invention, namely: a) when not loaded, b) when loaded obliquely forward, and c) when pushed open;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the athletic shoe of FIG. 1, namely: a) when not under load, and b) when loaded at side tilt;

fig. 3 is a respective detail view of the hollow elements of the outsole of fig. 1, namely: a) when not under load, b) when under load obliquely forward, and c) when under load vertically;

FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of an outsole according to the invention having a tubular hollow element between two layers, namely: a) unloaded, and b) loaded obliquely forward;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodiment of an outsole according to the invention having two layers connected by a deformable web, divided into a ball portion and a heel portion, namely: a) unloaded, and b) loaded obliquely forward;

FIG. 6 is an outsole having an enclosure filled with media in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of another outsole provided with serrations according to the present invention;

FIG. 8 is the athletic shoe of FIG. 1, wherein portions of the outsole are or can be removably secured to the intermediate sole, in accordance with a modification of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the athletic shoe of FIG. 8, namely: a) and b) having a different plurality of outer bottom portions removably mounted side-by-side;

FIG. 10 is a slightly modified hollow element of an outsole according to the invention as compared to the hollow element of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 11 is another embodiment of a single outsole element of an outsole according to the invention.

Description of the symbols

1 outer sole

2 sports shoes

3, 3' hollow element

3.1 tube of hollow element 3

3.2 webs of hollow elements 3

3.1.1 Upper half-shell of tube 3.1

3.1.2 lower half-shell of tube 3.1

3.1.3, 4.1.4 sides of the tube 3.1

4 middle sole

5 ground

6 outer sole

6.1 tubular hollow elements of the outsole 6

6.2 Upper layer of outsole 6

6.3 lower layer of outsole 6

7 outer sole

7.1 sole part of the outsole 7

7.2 heel part of outsole 7

7.1.1, 7.2.1 upper layer of the outsole part 7.1 or 7.2

7.2.1, 7.2.2 bottom layer of the outsole part 7.1 or 7.2

7.1.3, 7.2.3 Deformable webs

8 outer sole

8.1 Upper layer of outsole 8

8.2 lower layer of outsole 8

8.3 peripheral sides of the outsole 8

8.4 body of outsole 8

8.5 valves on the outsole 8

9 outer sole

9.1 Upper layer of outsole 9

9.2 lower layer of outsole 9

10 hook and loop fastener

10.1 hook layer of hook and loop fastener 10

10.2 Loop layer of hook and loop fastener 10

11 outsole element with vertical tubules

Load arrow at P1 touchdown

Load arrow when P2 pushes away

Detailed Description

The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

An embodiment will first be described on the basis of fig. 1, according to which the principles of the invention can be well described, although this embodiment is not absolutely preferred.

Fig. 1 shows a sports shoe 2 equipped with an outsole 1 according to the invention. The outsole 1 is formed by a plurality of hollow elements 3 in the form of sections, which hollow elements 3 have tubes 3.1 and are fastened together with the webs 3.2 formed thereon, for example by gluing, to the underside of a midsole 4 of the sports shoe 1. The hollow element 3 is made of a material, such as a rubber material, which is at least partly elastically deformable under the load occurring during running. The material preferably also has a high traction friction relative to other materials, but primarily relative to itself. The plurality of hollow elements 3 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the sports shoe 2, wherein a gap remains in the region between the ball of the foot and the heel. The hollow elements 3 can each extend over the entire width of the sports shoe 2. However, as shown in fig. 2, two or more such hollow elements 3 may also be arranged laterally side by side.

If the sports shoe 2 is as shown in fig. 1b) and is subjected to a load, for example obliquely forwards upon touchdown, as indicated by the load arrow P1, after initial elastic damping of the load in the case of vertical and horizontal deformation of the tubular portion 3.1, full compression of the tubular portion and therefore frictional engagement between the upper shell half 3.1.1 of the tubular portion and the lower shell half 3.1.2 of the tubular portion occurs when the appropriate dimensions of the tubular portion are determined (see fig. 3). The frictional engagement exerts a so high resistance against further horizontal deformation of the tube 3.1 that the horizontal deformation is in fact only possible within the remaining elastic range of the material and is therefore negligible. The runner thus has a horizontal, practically no longer displaceable contact with the ground 5 in this position and in this state of the outsole 1, and in this connection has a good and safe standing.

Furthermore, as shown in fig. 1c), the runner can also push away again first from the position according to fig. 2 for carrying out the next step without having to undergo a loss of distance in this respect, since, owing to the frictional engagement described above, the tubular portion 3.1 is, to the greatest extent, practically not deformed horizontally in the direction of the load indicated by the arrow P2 which occurs during the pushing away. Naturally, the precondition in this case is that the load applied to the deformed region of the outsole remains between touchdown and pushing away, which is the case, however, during normal running.

Fig. 2 shows a rear view of the sports shoe 2 of fig. 1, namely: a) unloaded, and b) side-tilted loaded. Also in this respect, in the event of frictional engagement between the upper 3.1.1 and lower 3.1.2 half-shells of the tubular portion 3.1, compression of the tubular portion 3.1 of the hollow element 3 occurs, so that the wearer of the sports shoe 2 also laterally obtains a stable and practically non-deforming contact with the ground 5.

The above-described embodiments are characterized by extremely long deformation paths which, between the unloaded state according to fig. 1a) and the state with frictional engagement according to fig. 1b), can reach well above 20%, possibly even above 50%. Using the sports shoe of fig. 1 and 2, the runner has a "cloudy fog" like, without having an unsafe feeling of standing at all times, and always has a direct, firm and therefore safe touchdown with the ground in the range of touchdown.

Fig. 3 again shows a detailed view of the hollow element 3 of fig. 1, namely: a) unloaded, and b) tangential loaded. Fig. 3c) shows a vertical straight-down deformation, from which it can be seen that the advantages described above with regard to stability and pushing apart without path loss are obtained even under purely vertical loading.

In the case of the outsole 6 of fig. 4, tubular hollow elements 6.1, for example made of rubber material, are also provided, which are, however, here arranged between the upper layer 6.2 and the lower layer 6.3 and are firmly connected to these layers, respectively. The two layers 6.2 and 6.3 extend here over the entire surface of the outsole. The upper layer 6.2 can in principle be formed by an already existing layer or a middle layer of the sports shoe. The lower layer 6.3 may also be provided with a cross-section. Functionally, the outsole 6 shown in fig. 4 with a) in an unloaded state is substantially similar to the outsole 1 of fig. 2 described above. In particular here, as shown in fig. 4b, a frictional engagement between the upper and lower half-shells of the tubular hollow element 6.1 also occurs upon compression. However, due to the thrust exerted by the lower layer 6.3, the deformation of the hollow element 6.1 under load is distributed, if possible, over a large range.

In the case of the embodiment of fig. 5, two separate parts 7.1 and 7.2 are first provided for the ball region and the heel region of the outsole 7, respectively. In principle, this separate design can also be used in the case of the other examples described. In addition, a simple elastically deformable web 7.1.3 or 7.2.3 is also arranged here between the upper layer 7.1.1 or 7.2.1 and the lower layer 7.2.1 or 7.2.2, respectively. As shown in fig. 5b), for example, under load, the webs lie, for example, flat between two outer layers. If materials with a high coefficient of friction are used again for the outer layer and the web, a frictional engagement similar to that described above is again produced in the situation shown in fig. 5 b). The upper and lower layers thus partially assume the functions of the upper and lower half-shells of the tubular portion of figure 1 described above, while the web may be approximately functionally equivalent to the side of the tubular portion, two of which are opposite one another, as indicated at 3.1.3 and 3.1.4 in figure 3.

In the case of the outsole 8 of fig. 6, no solid elastic elements are provided between the upper layer 8.1 and the lower layer 8.2. More precisely, the upper and lower layers are connected by the peripheral side 8.3 to form an enclosure 8.4, which is filled with a fluid. The fluid may be a gas, such as in particular air, but may also be a gel, for example. Importantly, as shown in fig. 6b), the outsole can deform to a certain extent under the loads occurring during running, so that the upper layer 8.1 and the lower layer 8.2 can contact each other in the respective load zones. If a material with a high coefficient of friction is selected for the two layers, a frictional engagement with the advantageous features described above is again produced.

When using an intrinsically incompressible gel as filling material for the body 8.4, the body 8.4 can, if appropriate in whole or in part, be elastically stretched, so that the desired effect can be achieved. A valve 8.5 can additionally be provided in the case of a gas-filled body 8.4, for example in the heel region. By varying the gas pressure, the elastic characteristics and flexibility of the outsole can be varied and thus matched to, for example, the weight or athletic characteristics of the runner.

Instead of frictional engagement, in the above-described embodiment, also or in addition, as shown in the only partial view of the outsole 9 in fig. 7, a form engagement can be used, in which case, for example, serrations are provided between the upper layer 9.1 and the lower layer 9.2.

According to a development of the invention, the outsole can be provided with means which enable it to be detachably secured to the intermediate sole of the sports shoe. The outsole can be detachably fastened here as a whole, in parts or only for individual parts. Fig. 8 shows a sports shoe 2 in which the outsole 1 is integrally but separately detachably fixed to the mid-sole 4 of the sports shoe 2. Here, the outsole 1 is formed, as in the example of fig. 1, by a plurality of sectional hollow elements 3 which have tubes 3.1 and are detachably fastened together with the webs 3.2 formed thereon to the underside of the midsole 4, or for hollow elements arranged in the region of the ball of the foot, are provided only for detachable fastening to the underside of the midsole 4. As can be clearly seen from the enlarged section a in fig. 8, a so-called hook-and-loop fastener 10, which can be produced several times and is again detachable, is used as a fastening means, wherein the web 3.2 of the hollow element 3 is provided with a hook-shaped layer 10.1 of the hook-and-loop fastener 10. Correspondingly, the mid-sole 4 is preferably provided on all sides with a complementary, i.e. annularly formed, layer 10.2 of hook-and-loop fasteners 10. The two layers of the hook and loop fastener are securely bonded to the hollow element on one side and to the midsole on the other side, respectively.

Firstly, the detachable fastening has the advantage that the outsole according to the invention can be mounted, if necessary, on the intermediate sole, for example directly before and during running practice, and that, furthermore, the sports shoe can be used without this outsole. This is significant mainly in the following cases, namely: the outsole according to the invention is provided with, for example, relatively voluminous hollow elements in order to obtain a long spring travel. In order to protect the loop layer of the midsole and the hook-and-loop fasteners preferably mounted thereon, each hook-and-loop fastener may likewise be provided with an alternative mountable protective layer, which is not illustrated here.

On the other hand, a detachable fastening has the advantage that a worn outsole can be exchanged for a new outsole. In the case of a multi-part construction of the outsole, just as in the example of fig. 8, it is also possible to replace only a single part, so that, for example, uneven wear of the outsole caused by the respective running style of each runner can be taken into account. In this case, however, each runner can also equip his own outsole with optimal shock-absorbing properties for himself, for example by a special arrangement of the individual parts. As an example of this, fig. 9 shows two rear views of the sports shoe of fig. 8, in which a) two rows of hollow elements 3 and b) three rows of hollow elements 3 are arranged next to one another in the heel region. However, for a single shaping of the outsole according to the invention, differently formed parts having different properties may also be provided on the part of the manufacturer. As an example of this, fig. 8 shows a hollow element 3' which is arranged in the main load region of the outsole and is provided with a greater wall thickness and therefore has a somewhat greater rigidity to deformation than the remaining hollow elements.

Fig. 10 likewise shows a hollow element 3 "for an outsole according to the invention, which is slightly modified compared to the hollow element of fig. 3, wherein the hollow element 3" is provided with a flat bottom surface. Further, the wall thickness of the element is not formed to be the same everywhere. It has been shown that with the illustrated shape an even higher feeling of standing is achieved and the pushing away from the touchdown point is improved.

Finally, fig. 11 shows yet another embodiment of a single outsole element 11 of an outsole according to the invention, which has a vertically aligned small tube instead of a horizontally aligned small tube.

The foregoing embodiments should be understood that individual elements or features thereof may be utilized, where possible, or in combination with other embodiments. This applies, for example, to arrangements in which the outsole is divided into a ball portion and a heel portion and a profile. Both frictional and form-fitting means can likewise be used alternatively or in combination with one another. The embodiment of fig. 4 or 5 can be combined with the embodiment of fig. 6, wherein, in the case of the embodiment of fig. 4 or 5, an elastic and/or damping medium or fluid is injected into the correspondingly provided cavity. Conversely, in the case of fig. 6, a mechanical elastic or damping element may additionally be provided. In the improved aspect of the invention, namely: the outsole according to the invention can be detachably fastened as a whole or at least partially to an intermediate outsole, it being possible, instead of a hook-and-loop fastener with a hook layer and a loop-or felt-like layer, to use a hook-and-loop fastener with two mutually matching hook layers, wherein this hook-and-loop fastener has a high adhesive force. The detachable connection can alternatively or additionally be established using a special releasable adhesive.

Claims (14)

1. An outsole having elastic deformability in a tangential direction so that a sufficient shock absorbing effect can be obtained even if a tread surface of a foot is inclined and slightly slips; wherein the outsole comprises two layers separated by at least one elastically deforming element, wherein the elastically deforming element is capable of bringing the two layers into frictional, force-and/or form-engaging contact with each other upon reaching a critical deformation and inhibiting a parallel displacement of the two layers, thereby forming a stable footing in an area where the critical deformation has been reached.

2. The outsole of claim 1, wherein the critical deformation is achieved only after the tangential and/or orthogonal deformation path is greater than 20% of its deformable thickness.

3. The outsole of claim 2, wherein the critical deformation is only achieved after the tangential and/or orthogonal deformation path is greater than 50% of its deformable thickness.

4. The outsole of claim 1, wherein the outsole is provided with at least one elastically deformable hollow element having one or more cavities.

5. The outsole of claim 4, wherein the hollow element comprises a deformable tubular portion.

6. The outsole of claim 4, wherein a plurality of hollow elements are sequentially arranged in a longitudinal direction of the outsole.

7. The outsole of claim 4, wherein the hollow element has two outer layers interconnected by a deformable web, forming a plurality of cavities.

8. The outsole of claim 4, wherein the hollow element has at least one fluid-filled chamber.

9. The outsole of claim 8, wherein the hollow element has at least one plenum chamber that is elastically deformable by compression of air contained therein.

10. The outsole of claim 9, wherein the plenum is fillable with an increased pressure compared to ambient pressure.

11. The outsole of claim 1, wherein the outsole, as a whole or in the case of being composed of multiple parts, is provided, for at least one of its multiple parts, with means for detachable fixing on the midsole of a sports shoe, said means comprising one part of a hook-and-loop fastener, and the midsole being provided with a complementary part of this hook-and-loop fastener.

12. The outsole of claim 11, wherein the outsole is formed in multiple parts, and the individual parts are selectively removably mounted in different locations and/or differently designed on the midsole.

13. The outsole of claim 11, wherein the outsole is formed in multiple parts and has at least two parts with different shapes and/or resiliency.

14. The outsole of claim 11, wherein the means comprises a hooked portion of a hook and loop fastener.