AU712705B2

AU712705B2 - Footwear

Info

Publication number: AU712705B2
Application number: AU71214/96A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yariv Gary Freed; Jack Goldberg; Jon Seddon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-10-11
Filing date: 1996-10-09
Publication date: 1999-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 2016-10-09
Also published as: AU7121496A

Description

P:\OPER\RSH\71214-96.243 1/9/99 -1-

FOOTWEAR

The present invention relates to footwear and more particularly to a sole for footwear having a structure for minimising injury to the wearer as may arise from twisting or turning movements which may occur during certain sporting activities, and/or for enhancing performance by assisting rotational movement of the foot.

A footwear sole incorporating a turntable to minimise injuries of the type just discussed is disclosed in International patent applications PCT/AU91/00590 and PCT/AU94/00002 ("the earlier applications"), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The present invention relates to further developments of, and/or variations of, the general concepts disclosed in these earlier applications.

In the earlier applications a turntable of a generally circular shape is incorporated into a recess in the sole and is capable of rotation through a limited angular extent as defined by a series of interengaging projections and recesses between the turntable and the structure of the sole. The actual effect of the turntable in practice is to allow the sole to pivot about the turntable if the foot is turned or twisted when the turntable is in contact with the ground. The turntable is also subject to a resilient bias which has the effect of returning it to its initial position relative to the sole when the sole is lifted from the ground. The resilient bias may be applied by integral elastomeric projections extending from the turntable as disclosed in application PCT/AU91/00590, or by means of a coil spring assembly incorporated between the underside of the turntable and the sole as described in application PCT/AU94/00002.

25 The present invention has particular applicability for use in environments where the footwear is likely to be used on playing surfaces which are liable to become muddy or which are composed of loose particulate material.

S

According to the invention, there is provided a sole for footwear, said sole having a recess in which is mounted a turntable for rotation in opposing directions of rotation from a S rest position, said turntable having an outer periphery separated from the sole by an annular 0 P:\OPER\RSH\71214-96.243 1/9/99 -2space, and resiliently deformable sealing structure of annular form extending around said outer periphery of the turntable and closing said space against ingress of dirt and mud, said resiliently deformable structure being attached to the sole and to the periphery of the turntable such that rotation of the turntable relative to the sole results in resilient deformation of the sealing structure, said deformation applying a resilient bias to the turntable acting in a direction to return the turntable to said rest position after rotation.

Further according to the invention, there is provided a sole for footwear, said sole including a turntable mounted within the sole for rotation in opposing directions of rotation from a rest position, said turntable having an outer periphery, the outer periphery of the turntable being connected to the sole via an annular web which surrounds the outer periphery of the turntable and which is bonded at a radially inner side to the turntable and at a radially outer side to the sole, said annular web providing a seal between the turntable and sole to prevent ingress of dirt and mud between the turntable and sole and said web being resiliently deformable upon rotation of the turntable from the rest position to provide to the turntable a resilient bias acting to return the turntable to the rest position- Still further according to the invention, there is provided a sole for footwear, said sole including a turntable which is mounted for rotation in opposing directions of rotation from a rest position, said turntable having an outer periphery which is connected to the remainder of the sole by an annular web of resilient material which extends around the outer periphery of the turntable, the turntable, web, and sole being integrally formed, said annular web forming a seal between the turntable and sole to prevent ingress of dirt and mud, said annular web being shaped to define an annular groove which surrounds the periphery of the turntable and 25 opens to the underside of the sole, said groove accommodating deformation of the web when relative rotation takes place between the turntable and sole, said deformation which takes place upon such relative rotation being a resilient deformation which acts to provide a resilient bias to return the turntable to the rest position.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with /reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: P:\OPER\RSH\71214-96.243 2/9/99 -3- Figure 1 is an underneath perspective view showing the underside of a shoe sole in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a transverse section through the sole of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view from above showing a turntable of the sole of Figures 1 and2; Figure 4 is an underneath perspective view showing the underside of a shoe sole in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 is a transverse cross-section through the sole of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a view partially in section showing a turntable carrying a separate connecting web; Figure 7 is a longitudinal section through a shoe sole in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 8 is an exploded perspective view from above of the embodiment of Figure 7; Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view from above showing a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 is an underneath perspective view of an embodiment comprising two turntables; Figure 11 is an underneath perspective view of an embodiment comprising three turntables.

*The embodiments initially to be described herein comprise a sole 2 with a recess 4 and *e*s a turntable 6 within the recess 4, the turntable 6 being rotatable through a restricted angle in S each direction of rotation from a rest position and being resiliently biased to return to that Sposition; by way of example only the turntable 6 can rotate through about 300 in each 25 direction from the rest position. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the resilient bias is applied to the turntable 6 by means of a resiliently deformable body which fills, or substantially fills, the cavity between the turntable 6 and the recess 4 within the sole. A S suitable material may be a resilient foam injected into the cavity defined between the turntable a; and the sole, or a material such as silicon. This is illustrated schematically in Figure 2 in which the cavity contains a resilient foam filling. The foam, designated 8 in Figure 2, can be formed by of a material which foams in situ upon injection into the cavity.

P:\OPER\RSH\71214-96.243 1/9/99 -4- Advantageously the foam is a self-skinning foam which expands on injection to fill the cavity and which also provides a seal between the turntable 6 and cavity to prevent entry of moisture and dirt into the cavity; injection of the foam can take place through the upper wall of the cavity prior to attachment of the shoe upper. The resilient foam 8 will not only act to provide a resilient bias to return the turntable 6 to its original position but will also provide a progressively-increasing resistance to rotation the further the turntable 6 is deflected from its original position and, accordingly, the foam provides a progressive damping effect. With this construction it is therefore not necessary to provide positive stops between the turntable 6 and sole 2 to limit rotation. The presence of the foam 8 also acts to retain the turntable 6 within the recess 4 as the foam will tend to bond to the turntable and surrounding structure of the sole on injection into the recess 4. To facilitate bonding of the foam 8 to the turntable 6, the turntable 6 has a number of upstanding integral pegs 10 which project into the cavity. The resistance to rotation provided by the foam can be varied during manufacture by altering the density of the foam.

The configuration illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 with the foam filling within the cavity between the turntable 6 and sole 2 has the important effect of preventing ingress of dirt and moisture into the recess 4 and which could impede rotation of the turntable 6.

In the embodiment thus far described, the turntable 6 is separate from the main structure of the sole 2. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5 the turntable 6 and sole 2 are formed as an integral moulding, with the connection between the turntable 6 and sole 2 being defined by a thin annular web 30 extending around the outer edge of the turntable 6.

The material from which the sole 2 and turntable 6 is moulded (for example a suitable 25 elastomeric material) is such that the thin web 30 which connects the turntable 6 to the sole 2 will have sufficient resilience to enable the turntable 6 to rotate relative to the sole, such rotation being permitted by resilient deformation of the web 30. This may be facilitated by moulding the web 30 in a generally V-shaped cross-sectional configuration as is illustrated, although other cross-sectional configurations for the web 30 may also achieve a similar effect depending on the characteristics of the material from which the moulding is produced. Again, depending on the characteristics of the material, the resilient deflection of the web 30 during P:\OPER\RSH\71214-96.243- 1/9/99 rotation may provide a sufficient resilient bias to restore the turntable 6 to its original position, although if the inherent resilience of the web 30 is insufficient for that purpose, an additional resilient bias may be applied by a spring arrangement or other resilient means acting between the turntable and overlying structure of the sole, for example in the manner described in relation to other embodiments of this application and also in the earlier applications; suitable springs include a leaf spring, a spiral spring, or a coil spring. The turntable 6 may, if required, be used in conjunction with appropriate bearing arrangements as described in this application. It is to be noted that with increasing deflection of the turntable 6, the web 30 will deform to provide a greater resistance to rotation and hence an increased dampening effect.

Depending on the actual configuration employed and on the characteristics of the material from which the turntable and sole are moulded, it may be necessary to incorporate stops between the turntable 6 and adjacent structure of the sole 2 in order to limit the rotation.

This will apply if the deformation of the web 30 is not in itself sufficient to provide an adequate limit to the rotation. Suitable stops can be formed by the use of inter-engaging projections and recess between the turntable 6 and overlying structure connected to the sole, for example as described in the earlier applications. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the turntable 6 and sole 2 can be moulded in one piece which may reduce the number of manufacturing or assembly steps needed. It also provides the important functional advantage that the integral web 30 between the turntable 6 and sole 2 prevents ingress of all moisture and dirt into the recess.

a Instead of forming the turntable, web, and sole as an integral moulding as just 25 described, the turntable and web may be formed integrally, with the web then being bonded to a pre-formed sole. This may allow greater versatility in the selection of the material for the turntable and web and hence in the resilient characteristics of the web. Alternatively, the web may be formed separately from both the turntable and sole, with the web subsequently being bonded or otherwise fixed to the turntable, and bonded or otherwise fixed to the sole.

This permits even greater versatility in the selection of the materials, whereby the sole, web, Nel and turntable can be of different materials; for example the web can be of a soft rubber-like P:\OPER\RSH\71214-96.243 1/9/99 -6material and the turntable can be of a relatively hard (and harder wearing) material. Figure 6 illustrates by way of example, a construction where the web 30 is formed separately from the turntable 6 and is bonded to the turntable at the inner edge of the web 30. The outer edge of the web 30 includes an annular flange 32 which is fixed being sandwiched between the adjacent part of the sole and a backing plate 34 which mounts the turntable 6 and spring assembly (if present).

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate by way of example, more detail of a construction embodying the principles described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. As shown in Figures 7 and 8 a disc-like strengthening insert 40 is moulded onto the inside face of the turntable 6 and carries a central boss 42, a recess 44 for a biasing spring 46, and an arcuate recess 48 for use in limiting the extent of relative rotation between the turntable and sole. The insert cooperates with a backing plate 50 fitted onto the upper side of the sole and carrying a pivot screw 52 which is engaged with the boss 42, and also projections 54 to cooperate with the spring 46 and a projection 56 for engagement within the arcuate recess 48 and which acts as a stop to restrict rotation of the assembly consisting of the turntable and insert.

In constructions involving the use of a web between the turntable and sole as described above, it is possible that the web may not, because of its relative thinness and resilience, have the same resistance to wear as the sole and turntable. In this event, the turntable and/or the sole may have an annular flange which projects under the web to shield the web from direct contact with the ground.

0 i In the embodiment of Figure 9, turntable 6 and sole 2 are again formed as an integral 25 moulding with the connection between the turntable 6 and sole 2 being defined by relatively thin annular web 30 extending around the outer edge of the turntable 6. The material from which the sole 2 and turntable 6 are moulded (for example a suitable elastomeric material) is such that the web 30 which connects the turntable 6 to the sole 2 will have sufficient resilience to enable the turntable 6 to rotate relative to the sole 2, such rotation being permitted by resilient deformation of the web 30. This may be facilitated by moulding the web 30 in a N generally V-shaped cross-sectional configuration although other cross-sectional configurations

E

P:\OPER\RSH\71214-96.243 1/9/99 -7may also achieve a similar effect. Advantageously the characteristics of the material are such that resilient deflection of the web 30 during rotation may provide a sufficient resilient bias to restore the turntable 2 to its original position following rotation from a rest position in each direction.

Mounted within the structure of the turntable 6 is a relatively soft support disc 68 to the underside of which is attached a metal plate 70 having a number of upwardly-extending threaded apertures 72 which lie within recesses 74 in the edge portion of the disc 68. The threaded apertures 72 serve to receive the threaded stems 76 of screw-in studs 78 which are screwed into the turntable 6 from the underside, the turntable 6 being formed with apertures for passage of the stems 76 of the studs 78.

The sole 2 is attached to a relatively stiff backing plate 84 at its upper side whereby the assembly formed by the metal plate 70 and support disc 68 lies between the turntable 6 and backing plate 84, a disc 86 of relatively low friction material such as PTFE ("Teflon") being interposed between the upper surface of the disc 68 and under surface of the backing plate 84 to facilitate rotation of the rotating assembly formed by the turntable 6, plate 70, and support disc 68. The backing plate 84 carries a downwardly-projecting lug 88 extending through arcuate slots 90,92 in the low friction disc 86 and support disc 68 in order to restrict the extent of rotation of the turntable 6. By way of example, the extent of the arcuate slots 90,92 and projection 88 may be such as to restrict rotation of the turntable 6 through an angle of about 300 in each direction from the rest position.

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.5 A boss 94 projects upwardly from the surface of the turntable 6 through apertures in ,5 the plate 70 and discs 68,86 to be located in an aperture 96 in the backing plate 84. The boss 94, which lies on the axis of the turntable 6, cooperates with the aperture 96 in the backing plate 84 to ensure that the turntable 6 is constrained for rotation about its axis.

In the construction described with reference to Figure 9, the use of the resilient web 0 30 to connect the turntable 6 to the sole 2 provides an absolute seal against the ingress of mud h and dirt and which might impede rotation of the turntable 2. It also acts to provide a resilient P:\OPER\RSH\71214-96.243 2/9/99 -8bias to return the turntable 6 to its rest position, with the bias increasing with increasing rotation from the neutral position to provide an increasing dampening effect. If necessary the bias provided by the deflection of the web 30 may be supplemented by a biasing spring. The assembly of the support disc 68 and metal plate 70 within the turntable 6 provides a means of mounting replaceable screw-in studs notwithstanding the relatively thin structure of the turntable itself. Although it is preferred that the sole 2, turntable 6, and connecting web are integrally formed in one piece it would alternatively be possible to form the turntable 6 and web 30 as an integral moulding and then bond the web 30 to the sole 2 which may be formed separately from a harder material.

In alternative embodiments the turntable 6 for use with the web 30 may be moulded with integral studs or fins or may be devoid of any such projections.

In the embodiments described a caged ball race assembly may be interposed between the turntable 6 and sole in order to provide a good rotational bearing support for the turntable.

In an alternative bearing arrangement, the turntable 6 is provided with hemispherical projections which engage an upper wall of the recess in the sole to provide effective bearing support for the turntable. In this form a resilient bias may be applied to the turntable by a series of elastomeric webs interposed between the turntable and the recess by engagement of the hemispherical bearing projections within a central opening of each web.

Alternative bearing arrangements may involve the use of a bearing disc of a low Sfriction material such as a disc of PTFE such as that sold under the trade mark "TEFLON" i 25 for supporting the turntable relative to the sole.

In each of the embodiments described herein and also in the embodiments described in the earlier applications, the turntable is of a circular disc-like shape. It is however not essential for the turntable to be of circular shape and other shapes such as elliptical or polygonal may be used. Clearly, however, the shape of the turntable and that of the recess in the sole within which it is mounted must be compatible with the requirement of the P:\OPER\RSH\71214-96.243- 119/99 -9turntable being able to rotate through a predetermined angle (for example 300) relative to the sole. However, for simplicity, a turntable of circular shape is preferred.

For some applications, rotation of the turntable may be required only at certain selected times. In this case a lock can be incorporated to releasably lock the turntable against rotation, until such time that rotation is required whereupon the user may release the lock.

In an alternative, the turntable may be locked against rotation until the pressure or force applied to the turntable by the wearer exceeds a predetermined limit. In either case, the turntable is subject to a resilient bias to return it to its original position. In the form where release of the turntable from locking restraint occurs in response to pressure or force exerted by the wearer, the value of that pressure or force may be capable of manual adjustment by the user.

In each of the forms described herein and in the earlier applications, the turntable may carry studs or spikes which may be removable and replaceable. Alternatively the turntable may carry integral projecting fins, ribs, or other structure to provide required non-slip contact with the ground. As will be appreciated, the form of the studs, fins or other structure carried by the turntable will largely depend on the intended use of the footwear; if the footwear is intended to be used for a field sport such as football, the turntable will be provided with suitable studs, spikes or fins, whereas if it is to be used for a sport such as squash, tennis, or badminton, the turntable will carry smaller fins or other projections which will provide a nonslip grip with the court, without damaging the surface of the court.

S

Although as described thus far and also in the earlier applications the turntable or other 25 structure which permits restricted rotation of the sole relative to the ground is incorporated within the part of the sole beneath the ball of the foot, it may alternatively be positioned on other parts of the sole such as the toe part or heel part, and it is also possible for more than one such turntable or other such structure to be incorporated. By way of illustration in Figure there is illustrated a shoe sole having turntables 6a, 6b on the ball part of the sole and on Z .30 the heel part, respectively. In Figure 11 there is illustrated a shoe sole having a first turntable S: 6c in the toe part of the sole, a second turntable 6d immediately behind that and a third P:\OPER\RSH\71214-96.243- 1/9/99 turntable 6e in the heel part. The first and second turntables 6c, 6d are located either side of a flex zone 196 of the sole which ensures that at any one time one or other of these two turntables will be in contact with the ground.

In shoes where more than one turntable is incorporated as just described, at least one of the turntables is capable of rotation through a restricted angle relative to the sole and may take any of the forms previously described in this application The function of at least one other turntable may alternatively be assumed by an array of deformable fins or projections.

The various embodiments have been described by way of example and modifications are possible within the scope of the various concepts disclosed herein.

Throughout this specification and claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

444 .4:i" i 44*4 4 4* 4*.

Claims

1. A sole for footwear, said sole having a recess in which is mounted a turntable for rotation in opposing directions of rotation from a rest position, said turntable having an outer periphery separated from the sole by an annular space, and resiliently deformable sealing structure of annular form extending around said outer periphery of the turntable and closing said space against ingress of dirt and mud, said resiliently deformable structure being attached to the sole and to the periphery of the turntable such that rotation of the turntable relative to the sole results in resilient deformation of the sealing structure, said deformation applying a resilient bias to the turntable acting in a direction to return the turntable to said rest position after rotation.

2. A sole according to claim 1, wherein the sealing structure comprises an annular web extending between the periphery of the turntable and the sole.

3. A sole according to claim 1, wherein the sealing structure comprises a filling of resilient foam within a cavity defined between the turntable and recess, said foam filling being bonded to the periphery of the turntable and to a peripheral wall of the recess.

4. A shoe sole according to claim 2 or claim 3, further comprising a spring associated with the turntable for applying additional resilient bias to return the turntable to said rest position after rotation.

A sole for footwear, said sole including a turntable mounted within the sole for rotation in opposing directions of rotation from a rest position, said turntable having an outer periphery, the outer periphery of the turntable being connected to the sole via an annular web S which surrounds the outer periphery of the turntable and which is bonded at a radially inner side to the turntable and at a radially outer side to the sole, said annular web providing a seal S between the turntable and sole to prevent ingress of dirt and mud between the turntable and sole and said web being resiliently deformable upon rotation of the turntable from the rest Sposition to provide to the turntable a resilient bias acting to return the turntable to the rest P:\OPER\RSH\71214-96.243 2/9/99 -12- position.

6. A sole according to claim 5, wherein the web is shaped in a generally V-shaped cross-section to define a groove which is open to the underside of the sole and which lies between the periphery of the turntable and the sole.

7. A sole according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the web is bonded to the turntable by being formed integrally therewith.

8. A sole according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the web is bonded to the sole by being formed integrally therewith.

9. A sole for footwear, said sole including a turntable which is mounted for rotation in opposing directions of rotation from a rest position, said turntable having an outer periphery which is connected to the remainder of the sole by an annular web of resilient material which extends around the outer periphery of the turntable, the turntable, web, and sole being integrally formed, said annular web forming a seal between the turntable and sole to prevent ingress of dirt and mud, said annular web being shaped to define an annular groove which surrounds the periphery of the turntable and opens to the underside of the sole, said groove accommodating deformation of the web when relative rotation takes place between the turntable and sole, said deformation which takes place upon such relative rotation being a resilient deformation which acts to provide a resilient bias to return the turntable to the rest Sposition. a

10. A sole for footwear substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 2nd day of September, 1999. oO: JACK GOLDBERG By his Patent Attorneys: AVIES COLLISON CAVE