AU2011100227A4 - Shock absorbing shoe sole structure - Google Patents

Description

SHOCK ABSORBING SHOE SOLE STRUCTURE This invention relates to shock absorbing shoe sole structure, particularly but not exclusively to shock absorbing means provided to a shoe sole structure. With improved living standards, people are becoming more demanding about the shoes they wear everyday. In addition to the quest for more aesthetic and stylish designs, people also demand for more comfortable shoes. As we all know, our heels experience a lot of pressure and shock during walking or exercise. Spending long hours walking or training will unavoidably expose our heels to extensive impacts and shocks, thus causing discomfort and pain in the lower limbs or even the lower back. This may develop into "plantar fasciitis" as a result, more serious consequences may be caused if the problems are not properly addressed. In order to alleviate shock and pressure exerted onto our heels during walking or exercise, the two usual technical solutions adopted by the existing art are either by including an air cushion inside the shoe sole, or by thickening the heels of the shoes. However, both technical solutions exhibit an obvious defect: the air cushion is usually not thick enough to provide sufficient protection to the heels; and the thickened heels of the shoes substantially increase the overall weight of the shoes, causing discomfort and additional burden to the user. In attempts to overcome the above defects, many technical solutions have been put forward in various prior art publications. For example, Chinese Utility Model Registration No 200820081074.2 has disclosed a hydraulic pressurized buffering arrangement at the heels of high heel shoes which may reduce the stress to the feet when they impact the ground. However, the hydraulic pressurized buffering arrangement is complex in structure and is easily damaged, and therefore is not convenient to users. The present invention aims at providing a shoe sole structure which is simple in construction, easy to detach, easy to re-assemble and can absorb the impacts and shocks exerted onto the heels. A shock absorbing shoe sole structure according to the present invention comprising: at least two shoe sole layers; at least one shock absorbing means; said at least one shock absorbing means extending downwardly at a rear or front part of a first shoe sole layer; and a depression corresponding to a shock absorbing means formed in a second shoe sole layer located below the first shoe sole layer and being dimensioned to at least partially receive the shock absorbing means; the position of said depression in the second shoe sole layer corresponding to the position from which the shock absorbing means extends downwardly from the rear or front part of the first shoe sole layer. 2 The shock absorbing means refers to an arrangement which can absorb at least part of the shock exerted onto the user's heels, particularly during walking or exercise. In one aspect, the shock absorbing means may be composed of elastic materials which can absorb shock. Preferably, it is selected from plastic foams, sponges, rubbers, polyester materials, gels, etc. The shock absorbing means composed of the above materials may after compression restore to the original shape quickly and has a strong capability to absorb shock. Preferably, the shock absorbing means is composed of polyester materials. Preferably, the shock absorbing means is composed of silica gel. In another aspect, according to the present invention, the shock absorbing means has a regular geometrical shape. Preferably, the shape of said shock absorbing means is rectangular, cubic, cylindrical, oval, pear shape and so on. More preferably, the body of the shock absorbing means is cylindrical. Cylindrical shock absorbing means may advantageously absorb shock more evenly. Furthermore, the shock absorbing means may be a solid, hollow or fluid-filled structure composed of silica gel or an elastomeric material. It is understood that different materials and/or geometry of the shock absorbing means may bring different effects, levels of shock absorbency and comfort to the user. 3 In a further embodiment of the present invention, the shock absorbing means may detachably engage with the first shoe sole layer. The shock absorbing means may be detached from the first shoe sole layer as a stand-alone part. The stand-alone shock absorbing means may be engaged with the first shoe sole layer by various means, eg by engagement, as a built-in arrangement, by adhesives and so on. Preferably, the detachable shock absorbing means couples with the first shoe sole layer by a built-in arrangement, wherein the shock absorbing means has a main body part and a crown part on its head. Correspondingly, the first shoe sole layer has an aperture near the heel part dimensioned to receive the main body part of the shock absorbing means. The crown part of the shock absorbing means may have a diameter which is larger than that of the aperture, so that only the body part of the shock absorbing means may extend through the aperture into the depression whereas the crown part which cannot extend through the aperture sits on top of the first shoe sole layer such that the crown part is securely engaged with the first shoe sole layer. It can be seen that adhesives may be applied to the underside of the crown part of the shock absorbing means, so that the shock absorbing means may be fixed more securely to the first shoe sole layer. When the shock absorbing means according to the present invention needs to be replaced or removed for any reason, only the shock absorbing means is required to be removed or replaced without a need to remove or replace the whole first shoe sole layer or any other layers. 4 In another embodiment of the present invention, in order to adapt to different requirements for shock absorption, two, three or even more shock absorbing means may be found at the heel part in order to produce co-operative or stacked effect. Alternatively, other than the heel part, the shock absorbing means may further be located at other locations of the shoe sole structure, eg at the front part of the foot (sole). According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the shoe sole structure includes four layers, wherein in addition to the two shoe sole layers discussed in the above paragraphs, an additional cushioning layer is located between the first shoe sole structure and upper part of the shoe. An outermost layer is located underneath the second shoe sole layer. Each layer of the shoe sole structure is engaged closely with each other in order to provide better shock absorbing effect, thus protecting the feet. Preferably, the shock absorbing means located at the first shoe sole layer may be composed of different materials and / or may have a different configuration. According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, each layer of said shock sole structure is removably connected to each other. When one or more layers are damaged, or as desired by the user, each shoe sole layer may be independently disassembled and re-assembled. Preferably, the process of disassembly and re-assembly does not need any tools and can be done manually, so that the process is simple and easy to carry out. 5 Preferably, at least the cushion layer can be easily removed revealing the first shoe sole layer, and the shock absorbing means which can be replaced according to user's preference on the shock absorbing effects and comfort levels. The first shoe sole layer can also be removed and replaced easily if desired. The shock absorbing means in accordance with the present invention has the advantages that it has a simple structure, is detachable, and good in shock absorbing as it is composed of elastic materials and thus can absorb shock towards the feet during walking or exercise not only providing additional protection to the feet, but also more comfortable to wear. The invention is further described by means of example but not in any limitative sense with reference to the accompanying drawings of which, Figure 1 is an exploded schematic view of the embodiment of the shoe sole structure with shock absorbing effect in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows the assembly of the shock absorbing shoe sole structure and the upper part of the shoe; Figure 3 shows an exploded schematic view of an embodiment of a detachable shock absorbing means of the shoe sole structure in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 4 shows the shoe sole structure of Figure 3 with the shock absorbing means partially extended through the aperture of the first shoe sole 6 layer. As shown in Figure 1, the shoe sole structure in accordance with the present invention includes four shoe sole layers. The heel part of the first shoe sole layer (1) has an aperture (11) allowing a shock absorbing means (5) to extend therethrough. The body of the shock absorbing means (5) protrudes or extends downwardly from the bottom side of layer (1) into a corresponding depression (6) formed in the second shoe sole layer (2), wherein the shock absorbing means (5) is a solid structure and is substantially cylindrical in shape in order to absorb shock evenly. In a preferred embodiment, the shock absorbing means (5) is composed of silica gel. Upon external impact or shock, the silica gel can absorb such impact or shock well thus achieving a very good shock absorbing effect. Also, the shock absorbing means can easily return to its original shape in order to continuously provide protection to the feet. Figures 3 and 4 show another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The shock absorbing means can be removably engaged with the first shoe sole layer (1). The shock absorbing means is an independent structure detachable from the first shoe sole layer as shown in Figure 3, wherein said shock absorbing means is a solid structure. The shock absorbing means has a cylindrical body (5) extending downwardly, and a crown part (10) on the top of the body (5). The first shoe sole layer (1) has a circular aperture (11) at the rear part of the layer adjacent the heel. The shape and size of the aperture (11) in the first shoe sole layer (1) allow the body (5) of the shock absorbing means but not the crown (10) 7 to extend therethrough. The crown (10) of the shock absorbing means has a diameter larger than the aperture (11), so that the crown (10) may sit on top of and be securely fastened to the shoe sole layer (1) whereas the body (5) of shock absorbing arrangement is recessed into the depression (6) formed in shoe sole layer (2). The advantage of employing a shoe sole with said structure is that when the shock absorbing means needs replacement or removal due to damage or other reason, only the shock absorbing means needs to be removed or replaced without the need to remove or replace any of the shoe sole layers. In another embodiment of the present invention, further shoe sole layers such as layer (3) may be provided, eg on top of layer (1), for comfort. A toe pad (7) is placed at the front part on top of layer (3). An outsole layer (4) is placed underneath shoe sole layer (2) with an arch support (8) placed therebetween. Each shoe sole layer is closely stuck to the other layers, forming an integral shoe sole which may provide better shock absorbing effect, thus further protecting the feet during walking or training, wherein each of the shoe sole layers can be easily removably engaged with the other layers so that a shoe sole layer or a shock absorbing means may be replaced or removed as desired or when needed. With reference to Figure 2, the upper part (9) of the shoe is closely attached to the shoe sole structure that has a shock absorbing arrangement, forming shoes with said shoe sole structure wherein said shoe sole structure comprises four shoe sole layers, each closely engaged with one another, in order to better absorb shocks generated during walking or exercise. The cylindrical shock 8 absorbing means located at the shoe sole layer (1) adjacent the heel part preferably is composed of an elastomeric material or silica gel. Although the present invention has been described and explained with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in this art that the foregoing and various other modifications, omissions and additions may be made thereto without departing from the principle and the scope of the present invention. 9

Claims (5)

1. A shock absorbing shoe sole structure comprising: at least two shoe sole layers; at least one shock absorbing means; said at least one shock absorbing means extending downwardly at a rear or front part of a first shoe sole layer; and a depression corresponding to a shock absorbing means formed in a second shoe sole layer located below the first shoe sole layer and being dimensioned to at least partially receive the shock absorbing means; the position of said depression in the second shoe sole layer corresponding to the position from which the shock absorbing means extends downwardly from the rear or front part of the first shoe sole layer.

2. The shoe sole structure claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one shock absorbing means may removably engage with the first shoe sole layer.

3. The shoe sole structure claimed in claim 2, wherein the shock absorbing means is cylindrical and comprises an upper crown part and a lower body part, the diameter of the lower body part being smaller than that of the upper crown part. 10

4. The shoe sole structure claimed in claim 2, wherein the first shoe sole layer is provided with an aperture with a dimension allowing only the body part, but not the crown part, of the shock absorbing means to extend through the aperture.

5. The shoe sole structure claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one shock absorbing means may be a solid, hollow or fluid-filled structure composed of silica gel or an elastomeric material. 11