TWI619441B - Auxetic soles with corresponding inner or outer liners - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a material comprising at least one layer made of an auxetic structure and an article of footwear having a sole comprising the materials. When the material is pulled, it expands in both the direction of tension and the direction orthogonal to the direction of tension. The article of footwear has a sole comprising at least one layer of a material having a pattern of one of the elemental elements comprising the aperture. When the sole is under lateral or longitudinal tension, the sole elements may rotate relative to each other, thereby increasing the lateral and longitudinal dimensions of the sole. One or more auxetic or flat linings can be used to prevent debris from entering the pores.

Description

A swelled sole with a corresponding inner or outer lining [Reference to related applications]

This application is based on U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/030,002, filed on Sep. 18, 2013, entitled "Axetic Structures and Footwear with Soles Having Auxetic Structures" ("the '022 Application") One of the sections is incorporated herein by reference and claims the priority of the application.

The article of footwear typically has at least two major components: an upper that provides an enclosure for receiving the wearer's foot; and a sole that is secured to the upper to directly contact the ground or field surface. The footwear may also use some type of fastening system (eg, a lace or strap or a combination of both) to secure the shoe around the wearer's foot. The sole can include three layers: an insole, a midsole, and an outsole. The outsole directly touches the ground or the surface of the site. The outsole typically carries a tread pattern and/or cleats or studs or other projections that provide the wearer with improved traction suitable for a particular sport, work or leisure activity or suitable for a particular ground.

As used herein, the term "inflating structure" generally refers to a structure that increases its size in a direction orthogonal to one of the first directions when it is pulled in a first direction. For example, if the structure can be described as having a length, a width, and a thickness, the width of the structure increases as it is longitudinally pulled. In certain embodiments, the auxetic structure is bidirectional such that its length and width increase when longitudinally stretched, and when stretched in the transverse direction The width and length of the space increase, but the thickness does not increase. These auxetic structures are characterized by having a Poisson's ratio. Moreover, although such structures generally have a monotonic relationship between the applied tensile force and an increase in the dimension orthogonal to the direction of the tensile force, the relationship need not be proportional or linear, and generally only needs to be responsive to an increase. Increase by pulling force.

In general, an article of footwear includes an upper and a sole. The sole may include an insole, a midsole and an outsole. The embodiment of the sole includes at least one layer made of an auxetic structure. This layer can be referred to as an "inflated layer." The wearer increases its length and width and thus provides improved traction when the wearer participates in one of the activities (such as running, turning, jumping or accelerating) that causes the bulging layer to be subjected to increased longitudinal or lateral tension. And absorb some impact with the surface of the site. Although the following description discusses only a limited number of shoe types, the embodiments are applicable to a wide range of sports and leisure activities, including tennis and other ball games, walking, jogging, running, mountain climbing, handball, training, on a treadmill. Running or walking as well as team sports (such as basketball, volleyball, hockey, turf hockey and football).

In one aspect, an embodiment of an article of footwear has a sole structure comprising a swellable layer and a lining. The auxetic layer comprises a pattern of one of the apertures formed by the sole element surrounding the apertures. Each of the sole elements has a number of vertices. The sole elements are joined at their equal vertices such that the sole elements are rotatable relative to each other about their apex. The auxetic layer is characterized by having a transverse direction, a longitudinal direction, and a vertical direction. The auxetic layer is configured to expand in a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction when a tensile force is applied to the auxetic layer in a lateral direction, and in a lateral direction and a longitudinal direction when a tensile force is applied to the auxetic layer in the longitudinal direction expansion. The liner is disposed adjacent to and approximately parallel to the auxetic layer. Thus, the liner inhibits the introduction of debris into the pores in the auxetic layer.

In another aspect, an embodiment of an article of footwear has an auxetic layer and a swellable liner. The auxetic layer comprises a pattern of one of the apertures formed by geometric features surrounding the apertures, and each of the geometric features has a plurality of vertices. The geometric features are joined at their equal vertices such that the vertices act as hinges, allowing the geometric features to rotate relative to each other. Pull The swellable layer and the swellable lining are characterized by a transverse direction, a longitudinal direction and a vertical direction. When one of the swellable layers is under lateral tension, it expands in both the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction, and when one of the swellable layers is under the longitudinal tension, it expands in both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction. Further, when one portion of the swellable layer is under lateral tension, it expands in both the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction, and when one of the swellable layers is under the longitudinal tension, it expands in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction. . An auxetic lining is disposed on one of the first surfaces of the auxetic layer and mates with the auxetic layer.

In another aspect, an embodiment of an article of footwear has an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The sole structure has an auxetic layer and a first lining. The auxetic layer has a pattern of one of the apertures formed by the geometric features surrounding the apertures. The geometric features are joined at their equal vertices such that they serve as a hinge, thereby allowing the geometric features to rotate relative to each other. The auxetic layer is characterized by a transverse dimension and a longitudinal dimension. When the auxetic layer is in an unstressed state, the auxetic layer is characterized by an unstressed configuration having an unstressed longitudinal dimension and an unstressed transverse dimension, and when the auxetic layer is pulled The auxetic layer has an expanded configuration having an expanded longitudinal dimension and an expanded transverse dimension, wherein the expanded longitudinal dimension is greater than the unstressed longitudinal dimension, and wherein the expanded transverse dimension is greater than the unstressed transverse dimension. When the auxetic layer is pulled, the first lining layer and the auxetic layer are simultaneously expanded, so that the expansion of the first lining layer is compatible with the expansion of the auxetic layer.

Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the embodiments will be apparent or become apparent from the <RTIgt; All such additional systems, methods, features and advantages are intended to be included within the scope of the embodiments and the scope of the invention, and are protected by the scope of the accompanying claims.

100‧‧‧Shoes

101‧‧‧ vamp

103‧‧‧Forefoot area

104‧‧‧ Instep/middlefoot area

105‧‧‧Heel area

110‧‧‧ throat

111‧‧‧lace

200‧‧‧Sole structure / sole

210‧‧•Insole

220‧‧‧ bulging lining

230‧‧‧ outsole/swelling outsole

231‧‧‧ pores

232‧‧‧Sole components

233‧‧‧ vertex

234‧‧‧ openings

250‧‧‧Expansion material / auxetic material part

400‧‧‧ bulging lining

401‧‧‧

402‧‧‧Sole components

403‧‧‧ vertex

412‧‧‧External edge

Section 413‧‧‧

Section 414‧‧‧

Section 415‧‧‧

416‧‧‧Top

421‧‧‧ first side/face

422‧‧‧ second side/face

423‧‧‧ upper edge

432‧‧‧ internal edge

434‧‧‧Internal surface

441‧‧‧First internal surface

442‧‧‧Second internal surface

443‧‧‧Internal edge

444‧‧‧Internal edge

445‧‧‧Internal surface

500‧‧‧Inflated outsole/outsole

501‧‧‧ pores

502‧‧‧ Sole components

503‧‧‧ vertex

520‧‧‧section

521‧‧‧ pores

530‧‧‧ arrow

600‧‧‧Shoes

601‧‧ ‧ upper

602‧‧‧Sole structure

603‧‧‧Footfoot area

604‧‧‧ midfoot area

605‧‧‧Heel area

610‧‧•Insole

620‧‧‧ bulging lining

621‧‧‧ protrusion

622‧‧‧ hollow interior

630‧‧‧Expanding outsole

631‧‧‧ pores

632‧‧‧Sole components

700‧‧‧Shoes

701‧‧ ‧ upper

702‧‧‧Sole structure

710‧‧•Insole

730‧‧‧Laundering layer/swelling midsole

731‧‧‧ pores

740‧‧‧ Outer lining

800‧‧‧Shoes

801‧‧‧ upper

802‧‧‧ sole structure

810‧‧•Insole

820‧‧‧ bulging lining

821‧‧‧ protrusion

830‧‧‧Expanding the midsole

831‧‧‧ pores

840‧‧‧ Outer lining

900‧‧‧Shoes

901‧‧‧ vamp

902‧‧‧Sole structure

910‧‧•Insole

920‧‧‧Inner lining

930‧‧‧Lifting the midsole

931‧‧‧ pores

940‧‧‧ Outer lining

1000‧‧‧shoes

1001‧‧‧ upper

1002‧‧‧Sole structure

1010‧‧•Insole

1030‧‧‧Expanding the midsole

1031‧‧‧ pores

1040‧‧‧ Outer lining

1041‧‧‧ protrusion

A1‧‧‧ angle

L1‧‧‧ initial size

L2‧‧‧ Increase size

W1‧‧‧ initial size

W2‧‧‧ Increase size

The embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, but rather to illustrate the principles of the embodiments. In addition, in the drawings, the same element symbols indicate the corresponding parts of the different figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a bottom plan view of one embodiment of an article of footwear having one of the examples of a sole having an auxetic structure; Figure 2 is a view showing the auxetic material when a tensile force is applied in a given direction. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of one of the footwear articles of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a swellable lining and an bulging outsole; FIG. 5 is a bulging lining Figure 1 is a schematic view of one of the embodiments of a bulging outsole; Figure 6 is a schematic view of one of the protrusions of a swellable lining; Figure 7 is a view showing assembly into a corresponding portion of an bulging outsole A schematic view of one of the portions of the swellable lining; FIG. 8 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a swellable sole structure showing a swellable lining when the swelled outsole is not pulled and the outsole Figure 9 is a schematic view of one embodiment of a swellable sole structure showing a swellable lining and a cross section of the outer sole when the swelled outsole is under longitudinal tension; Figure 10 is a shoe A schematic view of a type of article showing one of the bulging structures in the heel region of the outsole during impact of the ground on the ground Figure 11 is a schematic view of a footwear article showing the response of the bulging structure in the foot region before the outsole hits the ground; Figure 12 is a schematic view of a footwear article, The response of the bulging structure in the midfoot of the outsole during the impact of the foot on the ground; FIG. 13 is a schematic view showing one of the transverse sections of one embodiment of an article of footwear; FIG. 14 is a view showing an article of footwear. 1 is a schematic view of one of the longitudinal sections; FIG. 15 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of an article of footwear; FIG. 16 is a schematic view showing an exploded view of the embodiment of FIG. One of the exploded views of another embodiment showing an article of footwear Figure 18 is a schematic view showing an exploded view of another embodiment of an article of footwear; and Figure 19 is a schematic view showing an exploded view of another embodiment of an article of footwear.

For the sake of clarity, the embodiments herein describe certain exemplary embodiments, but the invention herein is applicable to any article of footwear including the specific features described herein and set forth in the claims. In particular, although the following embodiments discuss exemplary embodiments in the form of shoes such as running shoes, jogging shoes, tennis shoes, squash shoes or American squash shoes, basketball shoes, sandals, and flippers, the present invention herein Can be applied to a wide range of shoes.

For the sake of consistency and convenience, directional adjectives are employed throughout this embodiment corresponding to the illustrated embodiment. The term "longitudinal direction" as used throughout this embodiment and in the context of the claims refers to the direction extending along the length (or the longest dimension) of an article of footwear, such as a sports shoe or casual shoe. Moreover, the term "lateral direction" as used throughout this embodiment and in the context of the claims refers to the direction extending along one of the widths of one of the articles of footwear. The transverse direction can be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. The term "vertical direction" as used throughout this embodiment and in the context of the patent application with respect to an article of footwear refers to the direction normal to the plane of the sole of the article of footwear.

The term "sole structure" as used herein also referred to as "sole" shall mean the insole, midsole, outsole and/or the surface of the surface that provides support for the wearer's foot and carries direct contact with the surface of the ground or site. Or any combination of linings, such as a single sole; an outsole combined with one of the insole; a combination of an outsole, a midsole and an insole; and one or more linings, an outsole, A combination of a midsole and/or an insole.

1 is a bottom perspective view of one of the embodiments of an article of footwear 100. Footwear item 100 The upper 101 and the sole structure 200 (hereinafter also referred to simply as the sole 200) may be included. The upper 101 has a heel region 105, an instep or midfoot region 104, and a forefoot region 103. Upper 101 may include an opening or throat 110 that allows a wearer to insert their foot into the shoe. In some embodiments, upper 101 may also include a lace 111 that can be used to secure or otherwise adjust upper 101 around a foot.

In some embodiments, sole 200 includes at least one outsole 230 that can be a surface that directly contacts the ground. In some embodiments, the sole structure 200 can also have an insole or a midsole, or both an insole and a midsole. In some embodiments, the outsole 230 can carry a tread pattern or can have studs, spikes, or other ground engaging projections.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, sole structure 200 has an outsole 230 that includes a plurality of apertures 231 (also referred to simply as apertures 231). In some embodiments, the plurality of apertures 231 can comprise polygonal apertures. However, in other embodiments, each aperture may have any other geometric shape, including a geometry having non-linear edges connecting adjacent vertices. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, aperture 231 is presented as a triangular star (also referred to herein as a triangle or Samsung) surrounded by a plurality of sole elements 232 (also referred to simply as sole elements 232). In this exemplary embodiment, sole element 232 is triangular. In other embodiments, the apertures can have other geometries and can be surrounded by sole elements having other geometries. For example, the sole element can be a geometric feature. The triangular feature 232 shown in Figure 1 is an example of such geometric features. Other examples of geometric features that can be used as sole elements are quadrilateral features, trapezoidal features, pentagon features, hexagonal features, octagonal features, elliptical features, and circular features. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the joint at the apex 233 acts as a hinge, allowing the triangular sole element 232 to rotate as the sole is pulled. When one of the soles is partially pulled, this action allows the portion of the sole to be stretched to expand in both the direction of tension and the direction in the plane of the sole orthogonal to the direction of tension.

A structure that expands in one direction orthogonal to the direction of the tension and in the direction of tension is referred to as an auxetic structure. Figure 2 shows schematically the geometry of the aperture 231 and its surrounding sole element 232 as How does it result in the swell behavior of a portion of the auxetic material 250 that forms the outsole 230. 2 illustrates the bidirectional expansion of a portion of the auxetic material 250 as it is pulled in one direction. The diagram at the top of Figure 2 shows a portion of the auxetic material 250 having a width W1 and a length L1 in its initial unstressed state. In its unstressed state, a portion of the auxetic material 250 has an aperture 231 surrounded by a sole element 232. Each pair of sole elements 232 are joined at their equal apex 233, leaving an opening 234. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the apertures 231 are triangular star-shaped apertures, the sole elements are triangular features, and the openings 234 are points of the triangular star apertures 231. As best shown in the enlarged view above the top pattern, in this embodiment, the opening 234 can be characterized as having a relatively small acute angle when a portion of the auxetic material 250 is untensioned.

Figure 2 is a portion of an embodiment of an embodiment in which one of the embodiments of the auxetic material 250 is in its initial unstressed state (shown in the top view) and an auxetic material 250 is pulled in the length direction. One comparison (shown in the bottom pattern). In FIG. 2, a tensile force is applied to the auxetic material 250 in the direction indicated by the arrows in the bottom pattern to rotate adjacent sole elements 232, which increases the relative spacing between adjacent sole elements 232. For example, as best seen in Fig. 2, the relative spacing between adjacent sole elements 232 (and thus the size of aperture 231) increases with the application of tensile force. Since the increase in relative spacing occurs in all directions (due to the geometry of the original geometric pattern of the pores), this results in expansion of one of the auxetic materials in both the tension direction and in the direction orthogonal to the direction of the tension. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, in the initial or untensioned configuration of the auxetic material portion 250 (as seen in the top pattern in FIG. 2), the auxetic material portion 250 has an edge along One of the initial directions L1 in one direction (for example, the longitudinal direction) and one initial dimension W1 in one of the second directions (for example, the lateral direction) orthogonal to the first direction. In the expanded configuration (as seen in the bottom pattern in Figure 2), the auxetic material portion 250 has an increase in size L2 in one of the tension directions and an increase in the direction orthogonal to the tension direction. Large size W2. Therefore, it is clear that the expansion of the auxetic material 250 is not limited to the expansion in the tension direction.

In the embodiment of Figure 1, the sole structure has a auxetic layer that acts as an outsole because It is a ground contact assembly for a sole structure. In other embodiments, as described below with reference to Figures 11-15, the auxetic layer in the sole structure acts as a midsole (rather than as an outsole), i.e., the auxetic layer is not a ground contact of the sole structure. Component. Alternatively, the auxetic layer is a midsole in the sole structure that provides cushioning and absorbs the impact of the article of footwear striking the ground.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures, an auxetic structure comprising an outsole or a midsole comprising a swellable layer can be pulled in the longitudinal direction or in the transverse direction. However, the configuration discussed in the present application for the auxetic structure consisting of geometrical apertures (which are surrounded by geometrical features) provides any first direction along which the tensile force is applied and orthogonal to the first direction. A second direction expands one of the structures. Moreover, it should be understood that the direction of expansion (i.e., the first direction and the second direction) may be substantially tangential to one surface of the auxetic structure. In particular, the auxetic structures discussed herein may not substantially expand in a direction substantially perpendicular to one of the thicknesses associated with one of the auxetic structures.

Although the apertures 231 are shown as having a triangular star shape in FIGS. 1-3, in general, each of the plurality of apertures 231 can have any kind of geometry. In some embodiments, a void can have a polygonal geometry comprising a convex polygonal geometry and/or a concave polygonal geometry. In many cases, the geometry of the pores can be characterized as a polygon having an inwardly directed edge. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1-3, the geometry of the aperture 231 can be characterized as having a triangle with an inwardly directed apex (not straight) at a midpoint of the edge. The angle at which the inwardly directed vertices are formed is referred to as the "concave" angle. The concave angle formed at the inwardly directed apex may be in the range from 179° (when the edge is almost straight) to, for example, 120° or less.

Other geometries are also possible, including various polygons and/or curved geometries. Exemplary polygonal shapes that may be used in conjunction with one or more of the apertures 231 include, but are not limited to, regular polygonal shapes (eg, triangles, rectangles, pentagons, hexagons, etc.) and irregular polygonal or non-polygonal shapes . Other geometric shapes can be described as quadrilateral, pentagon, hexagonal, heptagonal, and octagonal or other polygonal shapes with concave edges or It even has an inward curved edge. As noted above, the sole elements defining the apertures can be geometric features such as triangular features, quadrilateral features, trapezoidal features, hexagonal features, octagonal features, elliptical features, and circular features.

Although the embodiments shown in the figures are shown as having apertures having approximately polygonal geometries, including approximately point-like vertices (adjacent edges or edges are joined at the vertices), in other embodiments, a void Some or all of them can be non-polygons. In particular, in some cases, some or all of the outer edges or edges of a void may not be joined at the apex, but may be continuously curved. For example, the aperture can have three vertices, with three inwardly curved sides joining the three vertices. Moreover, some embodiments may include apertures having a geometric shape that includes both straight edges joined by vertices and curved or non-linear edges that do not have any points or vertices.

3 is an exploded perspective view of one example of an embodiment of the article of footwear shown in FIG. 1. This figure shows each of the major components of an article of footwear 100 that includes an upper 101 and a sole structure 200. In this embodiment, sole structure 200 has three main components: an insole 210, a swellable liner 220, and an swelled outsole 230. In this embodiment, the swellable liner 220 is positioned above the swelled outsole 230. In particular, the swellable liner 220 is positioned between the swelled outsole 230 and the upper 101 (or likewise positioned between the swelled outsole 230 and the insole 210). Accordingly, it should be understood that the swellable liner 220 is positioned within the swellable outsole 230 with the inwardly directed inwardly directed toward one of the internal cavities of the article of footwear 100.

4 and 5 show how a swellable liner 400 fits into the swellable outsole 500 and fits into the swellable outsole 500. As shown in FIG. 4, one section of the swellable liner 400 has a downwardly directed projection 401 that is sized and positioned to fit into the aperture 501 in a corresponding section of the bulging outsole 500. . The protrusion 401 is shaped to fit tightly into the aperture 501. In some embodiments, the auxetic liner 400 is formed from a thin, flexible, elastic, and stretchable material that stretches, flexes, and bends as the outsole 500 flexes and bends. The protrusion 401 can be hollow such that it can be easily closed or open when the auxetic liner is bent and flexed. In this In an embodiment, the auxetic lining 400 has an auxetic structure that is joined by a sole element 402 that is joined at its apex 403 (which matches the corresponding sole element 502 and apex 503 in the bulging outsole 500) form. The apex 403 and apex 503 serve as a hinge to allow the sole element 402 in the swellable liner 400 to abut the sole element 502 in the swellable outsole 500 to rotate relative to each other, and thus allow the material to be orthogonal to the tension Some expansion in one of the directions. In this embodiment, the projection 401 has a substantially triangular star cross-sectional shape over its entire height, with the tip end 416 (discussed below, identified in Figure 6) reaching its apex.

Figure 5 is a diagram showing how a hollow projection 401 (shown in Figure 4) of one of the sections of a swellable liner 400 fits into one of the sections of the bulging outsole 500 corresponding to the aperture 501 (also in Figure 4). A schematic diagram of one of the shows). The swellable liner 400 can be formed from a sheet of a resilient and resilient material, for example, by molding, stamping, or other means. Figure 6 shows two views of a single hollow protrusion 401. The top view is a view of the exterior of the hollow protrusion 401, and the bottom view is a view of the interior of the hollow protrusion 401.

As shown in the top view of Fig. 6, in this embodiment, the projection 401 has a substantially triangular star cross-sectional shape in a substantially horizontal plane over the entire height of the projection 401. The protrusion 401 can also be characterized as having three pyramid segments joined along an edge (eg, the outer edge 412 between the segment 413 and the segment 414) (such as segment 413, segment as shown in FIG. 6) 414 and section 415). The apex of all three pyramid segments forms the top end 416 of the protrusion 401. As seen in the top view of Figure 6, each cone section or arm of the projection 401 is further comprised of two faces. For example, it can be seen that the cone section 413 has a first face 421 and a second face 422 joined along an upper edge 423.

The bottom view of Figure 6 is an internal view of one of the hollow projections 401 showing its three pyramid sections (section 413, section 414 and section 415) of the arms joined at the top end 416. This figure shows section 413 having a first inner surface 441 and a second inner surface 442 that meet at an inner edge 443. The first inner surface 441 and the second inner surface 442 correspond to the first side 421 and the second side 422 described above with respect to the top view. The inner surface 441 of the segment 413 is The inner surface 434 of the cone section 414 is bonded to the inner edge 432. Inner surface 442 of section 413 joins inner surface 445 of section 415 at inner edge 444.

Because the swellable liner 400 can be molded from a sheet of resilient and resilient material, the angle between any two adjacent cone segments (eg, the cone segment 413 identified in Figure 6 and The angle A1) between the cone segments 414 can be adjusted such that the auxetic liner 400 can readily conform to the swelled outsole 500 when the swelled outsole 500 is responsive to the applied stress. In particular, the edges between adjacent segments (eg, edge 412) and the edges between adjacent faces in each segment (eg, edge 423) can operate as hinge-like portions such that the geometry of the protrusions 401 can change. For example, when a pulling force is applied across the protrusion 401 in a horizontal direction (for example, lateral or longitudinal direction), the adjacent face including the protrusion 401 is movable such that the height of the protrusion 401 is reduced and horizontally and laterally expanded.

The embodiment may use any of the auxetic structures, including the application of the U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/565,143, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The pyramidal structure, configuration, and/or system disclosed in this document.

7 is a side perspective view of one of a section of the swellable outsole 500 and a section of the swellable liner 400 showing how the protrusion 401 of the swellable liner 400 fits into the swellable outsole 500. In the pores 501. The top end 416 of the projection 401, which is directed downwardly, has a face such as face 421 and face 422 that slides into the aperture 501 of the swelled outsole 500. In operation, the protrusions 401 of the swellable liner 400 fill most, if not all, of the apertures 501 such that water, dirt, stones or other debris cannot enter and remain in the apertures 501. Because the swellable liner 400 is made of a sheet of a thin, flexible and elastic material, and because its auxetic structure matches the auxetic structure of the swellable outsole 500, it can be easily stretched and bent. The expansion of the outsole structure 501 as it is under longitudinal or lateral tension is or is curved with the outsole 500. Thus, the swellable liner 400 protects the swellable outsole 500 and complements the effectiveness of the swelled outsole 500.

In some embodiments, the protrusion 401 can protrude through the aperture 501. Then, the protrusion can Joining a surface of the ground (eg, a pasture, a track, or a runway), and thus providing additional traction to the outsole 500. In such embodiments, the protrusion 401 can be made of a relatively strong, wear resistant material (e.g., PEEK (polydiether ketone)) or other abrasion resistant polymer or coated with a relatively strong, wear resistant material (e.g., PEEK ( Polydiether ketone)) or other abrasion resistant polymer.

Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of one of the bulging liners 400 of one of the projections 401 in an auxetic outsole 500. In this figure, the swellable liner 400 and the swelled outsole 500 are unstressed. Figure 8 also shows a section 520 of the bulging outsole 500 (taken as indicated in Figure 8) with the aperture 521 in its unstressed geometry. Figure 9 shows how the geometry of the swelled liner 400 and the swelled outsole 500 change when the sole structure is under longitudinal tension (as indicated by arrow 530). Because the sole structure is under longitudinal tension, the cone segments in the auxetic liner 400 and the corresponding segments of the apertures 501 are cooperatively adjusted to increase the size of the apertures and projections, as shown in FIG. In particular, as the swellable outsole 500 expands longitudinally and laterally in response to a longitudinal tensile force, the swellable liner 400 expands in a similar manner such that the expansion of the swellable liner 400 and the expansion of the swelled outsole 500 Capacitance allows the swellable liner 400 to provide complete coverage of the swellable outsole 500.

Figures 10, 11 and 12 show how different zones of an inflated outsole 630 respond to stresses applied to the auxetic outsole when, for example, the wearer is running. In these figures, the article of footwear 600 is shown as the runner is pressing down on his forefoot and raising his heel in the air. At this point of the runner's stride, the portion of the outsole in the heel region 605 of the bulging outsole is untensioned or compressed, the forefoot region 603 is under a vertical compressive force, and the midfoot region 604 is under longitudinal tension. . Because the heel region 605 is untensioned or compressed, the aperture 631 and the sole element 632 in the heel region are in their initial relaxed state, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG.

Because the auxetic structure made of resilient material can be shrunk under vertical impact (in the embodiment shown in Figures 10-12), the sole surrounding the aperture 631 when the forefoot region 603 is under a vertical compressive force Element 632 is moved toward the center of the aperture, thus closing aperture 631 to some extent, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. This action absorbs some impact and Increases the amount of material under the forefoot, thus cushioning the impact of the foot on the ground. Finally, because the midfoot region 604 is pulled, the sole element 632 surrounding the aperture 631 in the bulging outsole rotates, thus opening the aperture 631 as discussed above with reference to Figures 4 and 5, and as shown in the enlarged view of Figure 12. Show. This action allows the outsole to conform to the configuration of the runner's foot when his heel is bent upwards and his forefoot is bent downward.

Figures 13 and 14 are schematic illustrations of the structure of the embodiment shown in Figure 1 (an article of footwear having one embodiment of a swellable liner positioned above its bulging outsole). Figure 13 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cross-sectional view of one of the transverse sections of article of footwear 600. 14 is similar to FIG. 13, but in this case, the cross-sectional view is a view of one of the longitudinal cross-sections of the article of footwear 600. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the article of footwear 600 has an upper 601 for enclosing a foot of a wearer attached to a sole structure 602. The sole structure 602 has an insole 610, a swellable liner 620, and a swellable outsole 630. The hollow protrusion 621 extends downward from the swellable liner 620 into the aperture 631. As shown in Figures 13 and 14, in some embodiments, the protrusion 621 has a hollow interior 622. The protrusion 621 fills a majority of the volume of the aperture 631, thus preventing debris or moisture from entering the aperture 631 and interfering with the operation of swelling the outsole 630. In addition, because the swellable liner 620 has an auxetic structure that matches the auxetic structure of the swellable outsole 630, the swellable liner 620 compensates for the effectiveness of the swelled outsole 630 rather than interfering with the effectiveness of the swellable outsole 630.

In some embodiments, the liner may be a flat liner as in one of the embodiments of Figures 1-14 without a liner of an auxetic structure. In one embodiment of the perspective view of FIG. 15 and one of the exploded views of FIG. 16, the article of footwear 700 has an upper 701 attached to a sole structure 702. In this embodiment, the auxetic layer 730 is used as a midsole. The sole structure 702 has a flat outer backing layer 740 attached to the bottom of the swellable midsole 730 and an insole 710 positioned between the upper 701 and the swelled midsole 730. The outsole liner 740 can be made of a resilient, resilient, and flexible material, such as an elastomeric polymer, which is worn by a wearer as he or she walks, jumps, or makes a spine while participating in a sport or leisure activity. Swelling midsole The 730 is curved to accommodate and conform to the shape of the bulging midsole 730. Also, since the flat outer backing layer 740 is in direct contact with the surface of the ground in this embodiment, it can be made of a strong and wear resistant material. The flat outer sole 740 protects the swellable midsole 730 by preventing debris or moisture from entering the apertures 731 in the swellable middle layer 730.

In other embodiments, such as the example shown in the exploded view of FIG. 17, the article of footwear 800 can include one of the auxetic linings 820 positioned above (ie, inside) the swelled midsole 830 and positioned One of the flat outer backing layers 840 is swelled below one of the midsole 830 (ie, the exterior). In such embodiments, upper 801 is attached to sole structure 802, which includes an insole 810, a swellable liner 820, a swellable midsole 830, and an outer backing layer 840. In this embodiment, the auxetic liner 820 has a three-star projection 821 that mates with a similarly shaped aperture 831 in the swellable midsole 830. The swellable liner 820 can be made of a flexible and resilient material such that it conforms to the varying shape of the swellable midsole 830 as the wearer participates in various athletic or recreational activities. In such embodiments, the outsole liner 840 prevents debris from entering the apertures 831 of the swelled midsole 830. The two auxetic components (the auxetic lining and the bulging midsole) can have different material properties such that the choice of materials in the combined structure can be used to tailor the characteristics of the footwear to match a particular sporting event or leisure activity. Demand. Additionally, the swellable liner 820 can also function to prevent moisture that may diffuse through the insole 810 from entering the aperture 831 of the swelled midsole 830.

In other embodiments, such as the example shown in an exploded view in FIG. 18, article of footwear 900 has an upper 901 attached to a sole structure 902. The sole structure 902 can have a flat inner backing layer 920 positioned between an inner bottom 910 and an swelled midsole 930 (ie, the interior of the midsole 930) and positioned below the swelled midsole 930 (ie, the midsole) External to 930) and attached to one of the flat outsole 930 of the swellable midsole 930. The inner backing layer can be used as a "tie layer" that adheres well to the insole 910 of the article of footwear and the swellable midsole 930 to promote the integrity of the sole structure 902. The inner liner can also be used as a barrier against pores 931 that may diffuse moisture through the insole 910 into the swellable midsole 930. Flat outer lining 940 prevents debris and moisture from entering the aperture 931 in the bulging midsole 930. The flat outer backing layer can be made of a wear resistant elastomer because it is a ground engaging component of the sole structure.

In other embodiments, such as the example shown in an exploded view in FIG. 19, article of footwear 1000 has an upper 1001 attached to a sole structure 1002. The sole structure 1002 can have an insole 1010 and an auxetic outer backing layer 1040 positioned below the swelled midsole 1030. The protrusions 1041 in the bulging outer backing layer 1040 are configured to match and cooperate to swell the apertures 1031 in the midsole 1030. The swelled outer backing layer 1040 can be made from a wear resistant elastomeric polymer. This polymer can be used to protect the swellable midsole 1030 when the swellable midsole 1030 is made of a material that is not as wear resistant.

A conventional polymer foam such as EVA, rubber, polyurethane or thermoplastic polyurethane can be molded to have a triangular, polygonal or other shape as described herein. The apertures are combined with a pattern of triangles, other polygons or other geometric shapes to create an auxetic structure for the swelled outsole or swelled midsole shown in these figures. The structures can also be fabricated by casting a solid polymer sheet and cutting the sheet into the desired pattern. For example, the auxetic structures can be created by molding a polymer into a desired pattern to produce the auxetic structures, or by cutting a polymer sheet into a pattern.

The swellable liner, the outer backing layer and the inner backing layer can be made by molding or embossing an elastomeric polymer such as rubber, butadiene or other elastomer into the desired shape. The inner backing layer may also be made of a material that is not necessarily wear resistant, such as polyvinylidene chloride.

The above description has described an auxetic structure using a geometric pattern formed by an articulated triangle having both an increase in length and width when under longitudinal tension and a width and length when under lateral tension. Also increase the opening. It is also possible to use an auxetic foam material (which has a material of one Poisson's ratio) to form such structures such that the resulting structure expands in a direction orthogonal to an applied tensile force, because Its structural properties and because the material itself has internal swell.

The embodiment of the invention depicts one of the auxetic materials compared to some other types. The auxetic structure of the thickness. In general, the thickness of an auxetic structure, such as an outsole or a midsole comprising an auxetic structure, can vary. In some embodiments, the auxetic structure forming one of the portions of the sole structure can have a thickness in the range of 1 mm to 5 mm. In some embodiments, an auxetic structure can have a thickness greater than 5 mm and less than 10 mm. In some embodiments, an auxetic structure can have a thickness greater than one ten millimeters. In addition, the thickness of the auxetic structure can be selected to achieve desired properties such as cushioning and support.

While the various embodiments have been described, the invention is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive, Accordingly, the examples are not limited except in the scope of the accompanying claims and their equivalents. In addition, various modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (18)

An article of footwear comprising: a sole structure comprising an auxetic layer and a first lining, wherein the auxetic layer comprises a pattern of one of the apertures formed by a sole element surrounding the aperture; wherein the sole Each of the elements has a plurality of vertices; wherein the sole elements are joined at their vertices, and wherein the sole elements are rotatable relative to each other about their apex; wherein the auxetic layer is characterized by a lateral direction, a longitudinal direction and a vertical direction; wherein the auxetic layer is configured to expand in the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction when a tensile force is applied to the auxetic layer in the lateral direction; wherein the auxetic layer is configured to Expanding in the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction when a tensile force is applied to the auxetic layer; and wherein the first lining layer is disposed adjacent to the auxetic layer, wherein the first lining layer is approximately parallel to The auxetic layer, and wherein the first lining inhibits introduction of debris into the pores in the auxetic layer; wherein the first lining comprises a auxetic lining of one of the auxetic structures, the pulling Expansion structure has the same pull Such porosity of the layer fitted and fitted to the pull tab portion of the expandable layer in the pores of these. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the sole elements have a polygonal geometry. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the pores have polygonal apertures with concave edges. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein each of the apertures has a center and When a portion of the swellable layer is under a vertical compressive force, the sole elements in the portion of the auxetic layer are forced toward the center of the apertures. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the first lining layer is disposed on a first side of the auxetic layer, wherein the sole structure further comprises a second lining disposed on the auxetic layer The first side is opposite the second side of one of the auxetic layers. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the auxetic layer is a bulging outsole. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the swellable layer is a swellable midsole. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the first liner is disposed inside the outsole, further comprising a second liner disposed on the exterior of the outsole. An article of footwear comprising: an auxetic layer and a swellable lining, wherein the auxetic layer comprises a pattern of one of the apertures formed by geometric features surrounding the aperture; wherein each of the geometric features has a plurality Vertices; wherein the geometric features are joined at their equal vertices such that the vertices serve as a hinge that allows the geometric features to rotate relative to each other; wherein the auxetic layer and the bulging lining are characterized by a lateral orientation a longitudinal direction and a vertical direction; wherein when one of the swellable layers is under lateral tension, it expands in both the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction, and when a portion of the swellable layer is under longitudinal tension Extending in both the longitudinal direction and the transverse direction, and wherein when one of the swellable linings is under lateral tension, it expands in both the transverse direction and the longitudinal direction, and when the bulging When a portion of the lining is under longitudinal tension, it expands in both the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction; wherein the auxetic lining is disposed on a first surface of the auxetic layer and is pulled Complex layer; Further comprising an outer backing layer disposed on a second surface of the auxetic layer opposite the first surface of the auxetic layer. The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the outsole layer is disposed outside of the auxetic layer. The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the swellable liner is disposed outside of the auxetic layer. The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the geometric features are polygonal features. The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the geometric features are triangular features. An article of footwear comprising: an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper, wherein the sole structure comprises an auxetic layer and a first lining, wherein the auxetic layer comprises a geometry surrounded by the aperture a pattern of one of the apertures formed by the features; wherein the geometric features are joined at their equal vertices such that they serve as a hinge, thereby allowing the geometric features to rotate relative to one another; wherein the auxetic layer is characterized by having a transverse dimension and a longitudinal dimension; wherein the auxetic layer is characterized by having an unstressed longitudinal dimension and an unstressed transverse dimension unstressed when the auxetic layer is in an unstressed state Shape, and when the auxetic layer is pulled, the auxetic layer has an expanded configuration including an expanded longitudinal dimension and an expanded transverse dimension, wherein the expanded longitudinal dimension is greater than the unstressed longitudinal dimension, and wherein the expansion The transverse dimension is greater than the unstressed transverse dimension; and wherein the first lining layer and the auxetic layer simultaneously expand when the auxetic layer is pulled, such that the expansion of the first lining layer and the bulging layer Expand Compatible. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the first liner is a swellable liner that cooperates with the auxetic layer and conforms to the swellable layer. The article of footwear of claim 15 wherein the first liner is formed from a resilient and resilient material. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the first liner is a flat, elastic, and resilient backing. The article of footwear of claim 14, further comprising a second liner disposed adjacent one another and parallel to one of the second surfaces of the auxetic layer.