CN109414090B

CN109414090B - Sole of shoe

Info

Publication number: CN109414090B
Application number: CN201680085314.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: A·德尔比昂迪; A·瑞兹
Original assignee: Archstar Corp
Current assignee: Archstar Corp
Priority date: 2016-03-16
Filing date: 2016-08-01
Publication date: 2021-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2036-08-01
Also published as: CN109414090A; ITUA20161739A1

Abstract

The sole (100) comprises: a body structure (10) defining a textured surface (1); and opposite lateral portions (11, 12) of the sole, said main structure (10) comprising: a top layer (16) which, in use, faces the ball of the foot; a bottom layer (15) facing the ground; and a reinforcing member (5) interposed between the top layer (16) and the bottom layer (15). The reinforcement member (5) is made of a material having a stiffness greater than that of the base layer (15), and includes a front portion (52) and a rear portion (54) joined together by a bridge section (53). A forefoot through opening (20) is defined on the front portion and a rearfoot through opening (40) is defined on the rear portion, whereby a midfoot through opening (30) is defined between the bridge section (53) and the bottom layer (15).

Description

Sole of shoe

The present invention relates to a sole of the type comprising the features mentioned in the preamble of the independent claim.

It is known to use soles with a series of openings formed across the width to increase the flexibility characteristics of specific areas of the sole.

For example, U.S. patent 8291615 describes an athletic shoe comprising a sole formed by two opposing surfaces joined at a series of projections, wherein a void is defined between the series of projections.

These voids can increase the cushioning effect when the sole is in contact with the ground.

However, in these shoes, the forces generated during the support phase are dissipated only by deformation of the sole, however, in order to fully exploit the forces acting during walking, a more uniform load distribution may be desired.

The technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a sole structurally and functionally designed to overcome one or more of the limitations described above with reference to the cited prior art.

In the light of the above problems, the main object of the present invention is to develop a sole that is able to exploit the various phases of walking and allows an effective cushioning during the support phase.

Another object is to provide a sole such that the pressure deriving from its contact with the ground is not concentrated only in the heel region or in any other single region.

The above problems and the above objects are solved and attained by means of a sole according to the present invention, comprising: a body structure defining a textured surface that will face the ground during use of the sole; and opposite lateral portions of the sole, the body structure including: a top layer, said top layer facing the sole of the foot in use; a bottom layer, said bottom layer facing the ground; and a reinforcement member interposed between the top layer and the bottom layer, the reinforcement member being made of a material having a rigidity greater than that of the bottom layer, wherein the reinforcement member includes a front portion and a rear portion joined together by a bridge section, wherein a forefoot through opening is defined on the front portion, and a rearfoot through opening is defined on the rear portion, wherein a midfoot through opening is defined between the bridge section and the bottom layer.

Preferred features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

The sole according to the invention enables an even distribution of the load generated during the foot-supporting phase to be obtained.

Furthermore, the load generated during the support of the foot on the ground is distributed in a uniform manner, thus improving the comfort of walking.

Furthermore, the sole according to the invention has a high reactivity, at the same time as a high deformability and a high adaptability to the movements of the foot.

According to a preferred aspect, the invention also makes it possible to exploit the energy accumulated during the foot-supporting phase and to convert this energy into a pushing action.

According to another aspect, the invention can also facilitate the spiraling motion of the elevated foot at various stages of the foot.

According to other aspects, the invention also enables suppression of pressure peaks on the foot while providing adequate support for the metatarsal region and the lateral arch.

According to further aspects, the present invention can advantageously combine the characteristics of reactivity and deformability.

According to other aspects, the invention is able to distribute walking pressure over a larger area of the lateral arch, thereby reducing the risk of various pathologies.

According to yet another aspect, the invention also relates to a sole comprising: a body structure defining a textured surface that will face the ground during use of the sole; and opposite sides of the sole, the body structure including:

a forefoot portion defining a forefoot through opening therein, the forefoot through opening extending between opposite side portions;

a midfoot portion defining a midfoot through opening therein, the midfoot through opening extending between opposite side portions;

a hindfoot portion defining a hindfoot through opening therein extending between opposite side portions;

the forefoot portion, the midfoot portion and the hindfoot portion are adjacent to each other in a toe to heel direction and are made of an elastic material, wherein the forefoot through opening and the hindfoot through opening partially overlap the midfoot through opening.

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a sole, comprising the following steps:

arranging a main body structure;

providing a reinforcing member;

placing a reinforcement member between the top layer and the bottom layer;

the reinforcement member is joined to the top and bottom layers.

According to this aspect, the sole according to the invention can be produced in an automated manner without requiring any particular manual working steps.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the detailed description of two embodiments of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a sole according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the sole of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the sole of FIG. 1;

figures 4 to 6 are a perspective view, a side view and a plan view, respectively, of a reinforcing member as a feature of a sole according to the invention;

figure 7 is a cut-away perspective view of a variant embodiment of the sole according to the invention;

figure 8 is a side view of a shoe comprising a sole according to the variant of figure 7;

FIG. 9 is a side view of another variant embodiment of the sole according to the invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a method for producing a sole according to the invention;

figure 11 is a side view of a further variant embodiment of the sole according to the invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a method for producing a sole according to the embodiment of FIG. 11;

figures 13 to 14 are a side view and a perspective view, respectively, of a shoe comprising a sole according to the invention according to another embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a side view of a variant embodiment of the sole according to the invention;

figure 16 is a side view, partially in section, of another variant embodiment of the sole according to the invention;

figures 17 to 18 are two side views, respectively relating to the lateral side and to the medial side of another embodiment of the sole according to the invention.

Referring first to fig. 1, reference numeral 100 designates as a whole a sole produced according to the invention.

The sole 100 extends longitudinally in a toe-to-heel direction indicated by the letter X in fig. 1.

The sole 100 comprises a body structure 10, which body structure 10 comprises, in succession, a forefoot portion 2, a midfoot portion 3 and a hindfoot portion 4, which are adjacent to one another in a toe-to-heel direction X.

Preferably, the body structure 10 is made of a relatively elastic material, such as a polymer material, as will be described in further detail below.

Referring again to fig. 1, a textured surface 1 is identified in the main structure 10 of the sole 100.

In the context of the present invention, the term "tread surface 1" is identified as the surface of the sole 100 that is intended to face the ground during use of the sole 100, i.e. during use of the shoe comprising the sole 100 by the user. The surface may be represented by a surface in direct contact with the ground or the contact may be made by interposing an additional layer not shown in the figures.

Also identified in the sole 100 are respective opposite

lateral portions

11, 12, said

lateral portions

11, 12 comprising a medial portion 11 and a lateral portion 12 identified with respect to the toe-to-heel direction X of the sole 100.

According to a preferred embodiment, the body structure 10 comprises a substrate 15, on which substrate 15 a patterned surface 1 is defined.

Preferably, the body structure further comprises a top layer 16, which top layer 16 faces the user's foot when in use.

According to a preferred embodiment, the top layer 16 and the bottom layer 15 are joined at a front end 17 of the sole 100 defining the toe and at a rear end 18 close to the heel.

In an embodiment, a stiffening member 5 is arranged between the top layer 16 and the bottom layer 15, which stiffening member 5 is preferably made of a material having a stiffness which is greater than the stiffness of the body structure 10, or more generally at least greater than the stiffness of the bottom layer 15.

Preferably, the reinforcing member 5 is made of a material having a high degree of rigidity/elasticity, such as a block copolymer such as ABS/nylon or a polyether block amide such as that sold under the trade name ABS/Nylon

The polyether block amide of (1). Another alternative is represented by carbon or polyurethane, preferably compact thermoplastic Types (TPU). It is clear that the above materials are cited purely by way of example and that further alternatives can be provided.

In order to ensure that the stiffness of the reinforcement member 5 is greater than the stiffness of the bottom layer 15 and/or the top layer 16, the bottom layer 15 and/or the bottom layer 16 are, on the contrary, made of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) or expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU).

According to a preferred embodiment, as more clearly illustrated in fig. 4, the reinforcing member 5 comprises a front portion 52 arranged on the forefoot 2 of the sole 100 and a rear portion 54 arranged on the rearfoot 4.

Preferably, the front portion 52 and the rear portion 54 are joined by a bridge section 53.

In a preferred embodiment, the stiffening elements 5 have a substantially flat development and extend to occupy more or less completely the top layer 16. This prevents the presence of the stiffening member 5 being detected when the user is wearing the shoe, while at the same time providing sufficient support for the entire ball of the foot.

Referring to fig. 1 and 4, the through opening 20 is defined in the front portion 52 of the reinforcement member. Hereinafter, due to the position of this through opening, the above-mentioned through opening will be referred to as "forefoot through opening 20".

According to a preferred embodiment, the forefoot through opening 20 extends between the

opposite sides

11, 12 of the sole 100.

It should also be noted that the term "through" means that the openings not only pass entirely through the reinforcing member 5, but also open laterally on the

opposite sides

11, 12 of the sole 100. Preferably, the forefoot through opening 20 passes through the shoe in a direction transverse to the defined toe-to-heel direction X.

In one embodiment, the through opening 40 is defined in the rear portion 54 of the reinforcement member. Hereinafter, due to the position of this through opening, the above-mentioned through opening will be referred to as "hindfoot through opening 40".

According to a preferred embodiment, the hindfoot through opening 40 extends between the

opposite sides

11, 12 of the sole 100. In other words, the hindfoot through opening 40 passes through the shoe in a direction transverse to the defined toe-to-heel direction X.

Preferably, the midfoot through opening 30 is defined between the bridge section 53 and the above-mentioned bottom layer 15 when the reinforcement member 5 is placed between the bottom layer 15 and the top layer 16.

As can be seen in fig. 1, the bridge section 53 is preferably shaped in the following manner: when the reinforcement member 5 is placed between the bottom layer 15 and the top layer 16, the top layer 16 is raised relative to the bottom layer 15. Thus, the space thus defined is formed as the above-described midfoot through opening 30.

Preferably, the bridge sections 53 are arranged to support the top layer 16 to provide full support for the user's foot.

In this way, the reinforcement member 5 is able to take full advantage of the forces acting during walking, absorbing capacity by the bending of the reinforcement member 5 during the support phase and subsequently releasing the energy during the stretching of the foot.

Preferably, the reinforcing member 5 is formed as a single body.

According to a preferred embodiment, the front portion 52 and the rear portion 54 of the reinforcing member comprise a respective first transverse section 55 and a second transverse section 56, said first transverse section 55 and said second transverse section 56 being connected to the bridge section 53.

Preferably, the first transverse section 55 is inclined towards the rear end of the sole 100, while the second transverse section 56 is inclined towards the front end of the sole 100.

Thanks to the above arrangement, the

transverse sections

55, 56 advantageously unfold respectively in a direction parallel to the direction of the force generated during the phase in which the sole is supported on the ground and advantageously in a direction parallel to the direction of the force released as a result of the elastic response of the foot in the extension phase.

Preferably, the reinforcing member 5 is formed by two tubular elements defining a front portion 52 and a rear portion 54, respectively, connected by a bridge section 53. In an embodiment, the

transverse sections

55 and 56 form the walls of the tubular element.

Referring to fig. 5, in one embodiment, the structure is formed by the stacking of two profiled

sheets

58, 59, wherein the two profiled

sheets

58, 59 are joined at a front side region 50a, a rear side region 50b and an intermediate region defining a bridging section 53, and the two profiled

sheets

58, 59 are kept separate in the remaining regions.

As shown in fig. 6, according to a preferred embodiment, the stiffening member 5 further comprises lightening openings 57, which lightening openings 57 are preferably formed on the shaped

sheets

58, 59, and which lightening openings 57 advantageously allow a better adhesion between the stiffening member 5 and the top layer 15 and the bottom layer 16.

Referring again to fig. 1, forefoot, midfoot and hindfoot through

openings

20, 30 and 40 define voids between top layer 16 and bottom layer 15 identified on forefoot portion 2, midfoot portion 3 and hindfoot portion 4, respectively.

Preferably, in the sole according to the invention, the forefoot through opening 20 and the rearfoot through opening 40 partially overlap the midfoot through opening 30.

In this way, the cushioning effect obtained by the presence of the aforementioned openings can be advantageously combined with the high bending capacity generated in the region in which the aforementioned openings overlap.

In one embodiment, the body structure 10 as a whole is affected by a total of three through openings defined by the forefoot through opening 20, the midfoot through opening 30 and the hindfoot through opening 40.

In this way, maximum flexibility of the sole can be obtained without sacrificing cushioning during the support phase and release of forces during foot extension.

Furthermore, an even distribution of the load is ensured.

Preferably, the forefoot through opening 20 and the rearfoot through opening 40 partially overlap the midfoot through opening 30 along a vertical direction defined when the pattern surface is supported on the ground. In other words, one is disposed above the other with respect to the ground on which the sole 100 is supported.

According to a preferred embodiment, the forefoot through-opening 20 overlaps the midfoot through-opening 30 at the transition between the forefoot part 2 and the midfoot part 3. At the same time, the hindfoot through-opening 40 overlaps the midfoot through-opening 30 at the transition between the hindfoot portion 4 and the midfoot portion 3.

In this way, the area of overlap advantageously corresponds to an area that requires a greater degree of bending during the walking movement.

Preferably, to provide the above-described structure with a high degree of strength, the forefoot and rearfoot through

openings

20, 40 overlap the midfoot through opening 30 at the respective tapered ends 22, 42.

According to an alternative embodiment, as shown in fig. 7 and 8, the above-mentioned reinforcement member 5 is completely embedded in the structure 10.

In the above-described embodiment, the top layer 16 and the bottom layer 15 are also connected by means of two

lateral extensions

13, 14, in which

lateral sections

55, 56 are embedded.

This advantageously enables to hide the presence of the reinforcing member 5 from view, thus contributing to the aesthetic quality of the sole 100.

In another embodiment, as shown in fig. 9, the reinforcement member 5 is made of compact Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), while the bottom layer 15 is made of expanded Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU), so that a combination of materials with a greater degree of rigidity and a lesser degree of rigidity is obtained with a particularly simple structural solution.

In another variant embodiment defining another aspect of the invention, the reinforcing member 5 may not be present.

In the above described embodiment, the body structure 10 comprises a first lateral extension 13, which first lateral extension 13 extends from a bottom layer 15 at the area facing the forefoot 2 to a top layer 16 at the area facing the midfoot 3. In other words, the first lateral extension 13 is inclined toward the rear end of the sole 100.

In a preferred embodiment, the body structure 10 further comprises a second lateral extension 14, which second lateral extension 14 extends from a bottom layer 15 at the area facing the hindfoot portion 4 to a top layer 16 at the area facing the midfoot portion 3. In other words, the second lateral extension 14 is inclined toward the front end of the sole 100.

Preferably, the first 13 and the second 14 lateral extensions are bridge-connected to the top layer 16 at the midfoot portion 3.

Thanks to the above arrangement, the

lateral extensions

13, 14 advantageously unfold respectively in a direction parallel to the direction of the force generated during the phase in which the sole is supported on the ground and advantageously in a direction parallel to the direction of the force released as a result of the elastic response of the foot in the extension phase.

In an embodiment, a void is defined between the top layer 16, the bottom layer 15 and the first lateral extension 13, the void being identified within the forefoot portion 2 as a forefoot through opening 20, the forefoot through opening 20 extending between the opposing

side portions

11, 12.

Preferably, a void is defined between the top layer 16, the bottom layer 15 and the two

lateral extensions

13, 14, the void being identified within the midfoot portion 3 as a midfoot through opening 30, the midfoot through opening 30 extending between the opposing

side portions

11, 12.

Preferably, a void is also defined between the top layer 16, the bottom layer 15 and the second lateral extension 14, the void being identified within the hindfoot portion 4 as a hindfoot through-opening 40, the hindfoot through-opening 40 extending between the opposing

side portions

11, 12.

As shown in the other embodiments, the forefoot through opening 20 and the rearfoot through opening 40 preferably partially overlap the midfoot through opening.

Referring now to fig. 10, fig. 10 illustrates a method for producing a sole according to the present invention.

The reinforcement member 5 and the structure 10 are preferably produced separately by injection moulding.

Preferably, the reinforcing member 5 and the structure 10 are subsequently washed by means of a suitable cleaning product.

According to a preferred embodiment, an adhesive, preferably of the two-component type, is applied to the reinforcing member 5 and to the structure 10. Preferably, the surfaces of the reinforcing member 5 and the structure 10 intended to be joined together are coated with the two-component adhesive described above.

Structure 10 is open at the sides, thereby enabling the insertion of reinforcing member 5 laterally from the medial side 11 or lateral side 12 of the sole.

Preferably, in order to facilitate the correct positioning of the reinforcing member 5, the latter may be provided with

coupling elements

57a, 58a, said

coupling elements

57a, 58a being adapted to form a cooperation with corresponding elements defined within the structure 10.

In an embodiment, the above-mentioned coupling elements are formed by means of extensions insertable into recesses having complementary shapes, and are formed on the reinforcing member 5 and the structure 10, respectively.

The unit formed by the structure 10 and the reinforcing members 5 is loaded into a cooling press, which is then closed and sufficient pressure is applied for the time required for activation of the two-component adhesive to take place.

At this stage, the presence of the lightening openings 57 allows sufficient adhesion between the top and bottom layers and the reinforcing member.

Figure 11 shows another variant embodiment of the sole of the invention, intended for "wedge" type shoes.

In the above case, the reinforcing member is embedded in the structure 10 as in the embodiment of fig. 7 and 8.

The method described in figure 12 for producing the sole described above is generally applicable to all embodiments in which the reinforcing members 5 are embedded in the structure.

The structure 10 is prepared by providing through

openings

20a, 30a and 40a on the

sides

11, 12.

Furthermore, the structure 10 is provided with a central opening 50a suitable for housing the reinforcing member 5.

In the above case, the use of TPU/PU is additionally advantageous, since the use of TPU/PU enables the structure 10, which is already provided with the relevant openings, to be produced by means of injection molding.

Preferably, the central opening 50a also defines a mating edge 19, on which mating edge 19 the reinforcement member 5 can be placed and supported.

In an embodiment, a further opening 7a with a vertical development is also provided in the hindfoot region 4, in which hindfoot region 4 a heel member 7 is inserted.

Next, the shoe sole 100 is assembled by placing the reinforcing member 5 and any heel member 7 in the corresponding

openings

50a, 7 a. Before the positioning of the above-mentioned members, an adhesive, preferably of the two-component type, is applied to the reinforcing members 5 and the structure 10 in a similar manner to the previously described embodiments.

According to a preferred embodiment, the top layer 16 is then placed on top of the reinforcement members 5. Preferably, the tread surface 1 is also applied under the bottom layer 15.

The assembly of the sole 100 is then completed by loading the unit thus obtained into a cooling press, which is then closed and sufficient pressure is applied for the time required for activation of the two-component adhesive to take place.

Another embodiment is shown in fig. 13 and 14.

According to the above embodiment, the bottom layer 15 and the top layer 16 are independent and connected only by the reinforcing member 5 interposed between the above bottom layer 15 and top layer 16.

In the above case, the method for producing the sole 100 utilizes a technique similar to that previously shown to insert the reinforcing member 5 between the bottom layer 15 and the top layer 16 and provide the relative gluing.

In a further variant embodiment, as shown in fig. 15, the through

openings

20, 30, 40 are defined directly within the main structure and therefore do not require the presence of the reinforcing member 5.

In the above described embodiment, a void is defined between the top layer 16, the bottom layer 15 and the first lateral extension 13, which void is identified within the forefoot portion 2 as a forefoot through opening 20, which forefoot through opening 20 extends between the

opposite side portions

11, 12.

lateral extensions

side portions

11, 12.

side portions

11, 12.

According to another embodiment, as shown in fig. 16, the reinforcing member 5 is substantially X-shaped, so as to be able to be formed as a single body and to be housed in the top layer 16 and in the two

extensions

13, 14 in the most convenient manner.

More generally, it is preferred that the reinforcing members extend partially into the topsheet 16 and the

lateral extensions

13, 14.

In this way, when the reinforcing member 5 occupies a very small portion of the main structure, sufficient stability and flexibility of the reinforcing member 5 can be ensured.

Preferably, the reinforcement members 5 are completely embedded in the top layer 16 and the

lateral extensions

13, 14.

According to another embodiment, as shown in fig. 17 and 18, the sole 100 comprises

respective portions

21, 41 of relatively greater flexibility at the lateral sides 12 of the forefoot 2 and the rearfoot 4.

Preferably, the midfoot portion 3 includes another portion 31 of relatively greater flexibility at the medial side 11.

In this way, it is possible to facilitate the spiralling movement of the foot during the walking phase without compromising on the overall characteristics of stability and aesthetic quality of the sole.

In an embodiment, the

portion

21, 31, 41 having the relatively greater flexibility is made of a material having a lower density than the rest of the body structure 10.

Preferably, another portion 31, which has a relatively large flexibility on the midfoot portion 3, extends into the bottom layer 15 and into the

extensions

13 and 14, as can be seen in fig. 17.

As shown in fig. 18, according to an embodiment, the

portions

21, 41 having a relatively large flexibility extend at the level of the bottom layer 15.

Obviously, the above described embodiments can be advantageously combined with the presence of the reinforcing member 5.

Due to the nature of the present invention, the sole 100 is able to take full advantage of the forces acting during the walking phase.

In particular, the forefoot opening can advantageously define a thrust control surface, while the midfoot opening can define a dynamic stability region, and the hindfoot opening can define control surfaces for compression, support and load phases.

In addition, the presence of the reinforcing member is particularly advantageous, since it enables the forces accumulated during the heel support phase to be conveyed into the front region and converted into a pushing action.

The invention also makes it possible to suppress pressure peaks on the foot and at the same time provide sufficient support for the metatarsal region and the lateral arch, thanks to the presence of the stiffening member, which makes it possible to increase the support, combined with the presence of the holes, which makes it possible to counteract the above-mentioned action of the stiffening member.

Furthermore, the reactivity provided by the reinforcing member will be advantageously combined with the deformability of the structure.

The combination of these properties also distributes pressure over a larger area of the lateral arch, helping to reduce the risk of metatarsal pain, plantar fasciitis, and other pathologies.

Claims

1. A sole (100), the sole (100) comprising: a main body structure (10), said main body structure (10) defining a tread surface (1) intended to face the ground during use of the sole (100); and opposite sides (11, 12) of the sole (100), the main body structure (10) comprising: a top layer (16), said top layer (16) facing the ball of the foot in use; a bottom layer (15), said bottom layer (15) facing the ground; and a reinforcement member (5) interposed between the top layer (16) and the bottom layer (15), the reinforcement member (5) being formed as a single body by injection molding, and the reinforcement member (5) being made of a material having a rigidity greater than that of the bottom layer (15), wherein the reinforcement member (5) includes a front portion (52) and a rear portion (54) joined together by a bridge section (53), characterized in that a forefoot through opening (20) is defined on the front portion (52) and a rearfoot through opening (40) is defined on the rear portion (54), wherein a midfoot through opening (30) is defined between the bridge section (53) and the bottom layer (15),

said stiffening element (5) having a substantially flat development and extending so as to completely occupy said top layer (16),

a lightening opening (57) is also formed in the reinforcing member (5).

2. The sole (100) according to claim 1, wherein:

-said forefoot through opening (20) is defined in said forefoot portion (2) and extends between said opposite sides (11, 12);

-said midfoot through opening (30) being defined in said midfoot portion (3) and extending between said opposite side portions (11, 12);

-said hindfoot through opening (40) being defined in said hindfoot portion (4) and extending between said opposite side portions (11, 12);

the forefoot portion (2), the midfoot portion (3) and the rearfoot portion (4) are adjacent to each other along a toe-to-heel direction (X), the forefoot through opening (20) and the rearfoot through opening (40) partially overlapping the midfoot through opening (30).

3. The sole (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said stiffening element (5) is completely embedded in said body structure (10).

4. The sole (100) according to claim 3, characterized in that said top layer (16) and said bottom layer (15) are connected by at least two lateral extensions (13, 14), inside which lateral extensions (13, 14) there are embedded lateral segments (55, 56).

5. The sole (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said forefoot through opening (20) and said rearfoot through opening (40) partially overlap said midfoot through opening (30) along a vertical direction defined when said tread surface is supported on the ground.

6. The sole (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that said main body structure (10) as a whole is affected by a total of three through openings defined by said forefoot through opening (20), said midfoot through opening (30) and said rearfoot through opening (40).

7. A method for producing a sole (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of:

-providing the body structure (10);

-providing said reinforcement member (5);

-placing the reinforcement member (5) between the top layer (16) and the bottom layer (15);

-joining the reinforcement member (5) to the top layer (16) and the bottom layer (15).

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that placing the reinforcing member (5) between the top layer (16) and the bottom layer (15) comprises the steps of:

-inserting the reinforcing member (5) through one of the side portions (11, 12) to position the reinforcing member (5) between the top layer (16) and the bottom layer (15).

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein joining the reinforcing member (5) to the top layer (16) and the bottom layer (15) comprises the steps of:

-applying an adhesive before inserting the reinforcing member (5) between the top layer (16) and the bottom layer (15);

-placing the body structure (10) with the reinforcement members (5) interposed between the top layer (16) and the bottom layer (15) within a cooling press.

10. A sole (100) comprising: a main body structure (10), said main body structure (10) defining a tread surface (1) intended to face the ground during use of the sole (100); and opposite sides (11, 12) of the sole (100), the main body structure comprising:

-a forefoot portion (2) defining a forefoot through opening (20) in said forefoot portion (2), said forefoot through opening (20) extending between said opposite side portions (11, 12);

-a midfoot portion (3) defining a midfoot through opening (30) in the midfoot portion (3), the midfoot through opening (30) extending between the opposite side portions (11, 12);

-a hindfoot portion (4) defining a hindfoot through opening (40) in the hindfoot portion (4), the hindfoot through opening (40) extending between the opposed side portions (11, 12);

-the forefoot portion (2), the midfoot portion (3) and the rearfoot portion (4) are adjacent to each other along a toe-to-heel direction (X) and are made of an elastic material, characterized in that the forefoot through opening (20) and the rearfoot through opening (40) partially overlap the midfoot through opening (30),

the body structure comprising a reinforcement member (5), the reinforcement member (5) being made of a material having a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the body structure (10), the reinforcement member (5) extending between an intersection area of the forefoot through opening (20) and the midfoot through opening (30) and an intersection area of the midfoot through opening (30) and the rearfoot through opening (40),

the body structure (10) comprises: a base layer (15) on which said tread surface (1) is defined; a top layer (16), the top layer (16) facing a user's foot in use; and at least two lateral extensions (13, 14), said lateral extensions (13, 14) developing between said bottom layer (15) and said top layer (16) to define said forefoot through opening (20), said midfoot through opening (30) and said rearfoot through opening (40), said reinforcement member (5) being formed as a single body extending partially into said top layer (16) and said lateral extensions (13, 14).

11. The sole (100) according to claim 10, wherein said stiffening element (5) is completely embedded in said top layer (16) and in said lateral extensions (13, 14).

12. The sole (100) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that said stiffening element (5) extends so as to occupy substantially completely said top layer (16).

13. The sole (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that said forefoot through opening (20) and said rearfoot through opening (40) partially overlap said midfoot through opening (30) along a vertical direction defined when said tread surface is supported on the ground.

14. The sole (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that said opposite sides (11, 12) comprise a medial side (11) and a lateral side (12), said forefoot (2) and said rearfoot (4) comprising, at said lateral side (12), a respective portion (21, 41) with relatively greater flexibility, and said midfoot (3) comprising, at said medial side (11), another portion (31) with relatively greater flexibility.

15. The sole (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that said main body structure (10) as a whole is affected by a total of three through openings defined by said forefoot through opening (20), said midfoot through opening (30) and said rearfoot through opening (40).

16. The sole (100) according to claim 10, wherein said forefoot through opening (20) and said rearfoot through opening (40) partially overlap said midfoot through opening (30) at respective tapered ends (22, 42) defined along said toe-to-heel direction (X).

17. The sole (100) according to claim 10, characterized in that said forefoot through opening (20) overlaps said midfoot through opening (30) at a transition area between said forefoot portion (2) and said midfoot portion (3), said rearfoot through opening (40) overlapping said midfoot through opening (30) at a transition area between said rearfoot through opening (4) and said midfoot through opening (3).