CZ249499A3 - Outsole with removable cookie - Google Patents

Abstract

Sports shoes include the upper (12) and the outsole (14) at least an outer sole provided in at least a heel portion (20) the soles of the movable part (24) which rotates the cradle an axis lying in front of the heel portion (20) of the sole. Between moving an outer sole portion (24) and a shoe upper (12) can be inserted a midsole (26). Moving part (24) outer the outsole includes projections (28,30) that engage the upper (12) so that after inserting the midsole (26) between the movable part (24) the outer sole and the upper (12) prevent the midsole insert (26) from moving in the transverse motion with respect to the upper (12).

Description

Technical field

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to sports shoes, and more particularly to replaceable insoles for sports shoe soles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Over the last twenty years, sports shoes have developed extensively. Running shoes, which include a relatively soft upper and elastomeric outsole, have been tuned to highly specialized forms. A special kind of footwear is now available for each sport. In the field of sports running, other shoes for heavy male runners and other shoes for light female runners can be found. The construction of the sole can vary depending on whether someone wants support against the foot or against the inner edge of the foot.

Such specialization in sports footwear designs has led to the development of a wide range of different shoes. For example, if an amateur runner wishes to run only a few kilometers of light running, he cannot use his pair of running shoes that have been designed for racing. This is because the heel pad of racing running shoes will have greater hardness, as the shocks to be absorbed by the shoe will of course be greater than in the case of light running. In this case, the runner will feel some discomfort as the heel will seem too hard. Similarly, the softer heel of the recreational running shoe will seem too soft for a hard racing run.

For all different types of running, a runner will need to have several pairs of running shoes, just as a golfer needs a set of different golf clubs for different types of strokes. Running shoes, however, is relatively expensive and such a solution is impractical for runners.

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The use of removable insoles for sports shoes has been suggested. Examples of such sports footwear are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,624,061 (Wezel et al.) Issued November 25, 1986, No. 4,942,677 (Fleming et al.) Issued July 24, 1990, No. 4,897,936 (Fuerst). ) issued on February 6, 1990 and No. 5,533,280 (Halliday) issued on July 9, 1996.

The aforementioned patents disclose various methods for replacing differing insoles into the shoe sole. In particular, US Patent No. 4,942,677 discloses the use of cushioning pads in the heel portion of a sole, which are used to affect the impact absorption characteristics of footwear. This patent includes an outer sole affixed to the remainder of the sole and wedge cushioning elements interposed between the outer sole and the shoe upper so as to ensure proper shock absorption or spacing to increase the height of the wearer.

US Patent No. 4,942,677 discloses a construction that is most suitable for stiffer casual shoes and not for modern sports shoes. Sports shoes generally have a much softer construction. A sports shoe sole that includes a heel and a removable insert described in U.S. Patent No. 4,942,677 would be transversely unstable as there are no means shown to prevent shear forces arising from the harsher side sliding movement to which such as basketball or tennis.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved sports shoe construction that will allow replacement of the sole.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sports shoe construction that includes a removable heel pad with improved transverse stability.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sports shoe with a sole having a removable heel that is easy to handle when changing the inserts quickly.

The construction of the present invention includes sports shoes having an upper and a sole, wherein at least the outer sole includes a toe section, a vamp section and a sole.

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The heel portion, wherein the outer sole is provided, at least in its heel portion, with a movable portion rotatable about a transverse axis, a midsole insertable between the movable portion of the outer sole and the upper. The movable outer sole portion includes projections engaging the upper of the shoe which, when the midsole insert is interposed between the movable portion of the outer sole and the shoe upper, interacts with the upper to prevent lateral movement of the midsole relative to the upper.

To attach the movable portion of the outer sole to the inner sole and to squeeze the midsole between them, fastening means and a protrusion extending between the movable portion of the outer sole and the midsole are provided to prevent lateral movement of at least the movable portion of the outer sole.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the midsole and the movable portion of the outer sole are provided with upwardly facing side walls which, when in place, abut the upper and provide lateral stability of the midsole and the movable segment of the outer sole.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the upper and midsole include interlocking ribs and grooves having portions lying longitudinally so as to improve the transverse stability of the midsole and the shoe upper when the midsole is inserted.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the front portion of the sole is provided with a movable outer portion that is attached to the toe region of the toe such that the movable front portion of the outer sole is rotatable in the same manner as the movable portion of the outer sole in the heel region. A midsole insert may be maintained between the movable front portion of the outer sole and the inner sole of the front portion of the shoe, which includes the instep portion.

Other embodiments may be provided, including having an outer sole covering the entire length of the shoe to the tip portion of the upper so that the outer sole can pivot to allow insertion of the midsole into both the front of the shoe and the heel. A pair of midsole inserts may be provided, including separate front and rear midsole inserts that will be maintained by a single outer sole rotatable in the toe region and releasably attachable to the sides of the upper.

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Obviously, the construction of the shoe according to the invention exhibits improved stability and, in particular, improved lateral stability compared to the prior art. All parts that can be moved, such as the midsole and the movable portion of the outer sole, have assembled upwardly protruding projections (including side walls) that overlap each other on the side of the upper to increase lateral stability of the shoe according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The essence of the present invention will generally be described in the following section with reference to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of example preferred embodiments of the invention, in which:

Giant. 1 is a perspective view showing sports shoes incorporating the present invention;

Giant. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a detail of the present invention in another functional position;

Giant. 3 shows the first embodiment of the invention in an enlarged partial side view;

Giant. 4 is a vertical section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

Giant. 5 is a bottom perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention which includes the individual elements of a shoe structure in a first functional position;

Giant. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of a portion of the sole of FIG. 5 and shows a specific feature of the embodiment of FIG. 5, wherein the shoe construction elements are in their second functional position;

Giant. 7 is a side view of yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein said elements are in a first operative position; and

Giant. 8 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing the elements in their second and preferred position.

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The attached drawings illustrate typical sports shoes 10. These sports shoes 10 include, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper 12, the sole 14 and the inner lining 13. Sports shoes generally have a toe 16, a vamp portion 18 and a heel portion 20.

The sole 14 is formed by a cap 22, which is shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, and in the heel portion 20 by the movable portion 24 of the outer sole. The remainder of the outer sole is a fixed part and the movable part 24 of the outer sole can thus rotate about an axis extending transversely of the instep in its instep part due to the elasticity of the material of which the sole is made, since the sole is generally made of an elastomeric material.

The shoe 22 may be made of a separately molded plastic material. It may be formed as a cup that is glued or otherwise attached to the upper, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4.

A midsole insert 26 may be inserted between the outer sole movable portion 24 and the heels 22 in the heel portion 20 of the shoe. The outer sole movable portion 24 serves as a cage that keeps the midsole insert 26 in place as described in more detail below.

The midsole pads 26 may differ in their hardness depending upon the weight of the wearer and the type of intended use of the footwear. The midsole insert 26 can be made of polyurethane material of different densities. Other suitable materials, such as silicon-based TPR, may also be used. The midsole insert 26 can also be designed to correct excessive pronation or excessive supination. In other words, the midsole insert 26 may have a different thickness or density in its inner part and its outer part. A midsole insert 26 with different cushioning characteristics in different regions of the midsole may also be formed and could also be made of different materials having different characteristics.

The movable portion 24 of the outer sole is provided with a bottom wall 25 and upwardly facing side walls 28 and 30. These upwardly facing side walls 28 and 30 comprise large openings 36 formed either on one or the other of the side walls 28 and 30. Openings 36 are defined by upwardly extending columns 33 and an upper element 32.

The midsole insert 26 comprises a bottom wall 27 and side walls 29 and 31. These side walls 29 and 31 are provided with side protrusions 42 that correspond to openings 36 formed in the side walls 28 and 30 of the movable portion 24 of the outer sole. In fact, the projections 42 correspond to the bottom of the apertures 36, and the upper portions of these apertures 36 are then filled with protrusions 38 located on the upwardly facing side walls 41 and 43 that extend upwardly from the heel 22. On the upwardly facing side walls 41 and 43 overlapping protrusions 40 and 44 are provided that are adapted to overlap the upper member 32 of the movable portion 24 of the outer sole when mounted in the correct position. The protrusions 46 extend rearwardly from the midsole insert 26, as seen in the drawings, and engage corresponding parts of the movable portion 24 of the outer sole and the heel 22.

In the shoe 22, a U-shaped rib 48 is further pressed and extends downward as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4. A corresponding groove 50 also has a U-shaped groove in the bottom wall 2Z of the midsole insert 26 into which, as shown in FIG. 4, the rib 48 engages.

When the corresponding midsole 26 is to be inserted, the shoe is in the position shown in FIG. 2. The midsole insert 26 is selected according to the particular needs of the runner and placed between the movable portion 24 of the outer sole and the heels 22 so that the rib 48 fits into the groove 50. The movable portion 24 of the outer sole then closes the midsole 26 and the upper element 32 Similarly, the side protrusions 42 formed on the upwardly facing side walls 29 and 31 of the midsole insert 26 fit into the apertures 36 and thus fill the space of the aperture 36 of the projection 38. 46 then snaps into the free space at the back of the shoe.

By engaging the rib 48 with the groove 50 formed in the midsole insert 26, and the midsole insert 26 itself has upwardly facing side walls 29 and 30 engaging the sides of the heel 22 to form a rigid and transversely stable assembly. The movable outer sole portion 24 is also provided with an upwardly extending portion of the outer sole. The facing side walls 28 and 30, which occupy the upward facing side walls 20 and 31 of the midsole insert 26, and the side walls 41 and 43 of the heel 22.

In another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the individual elements corresponding to those of the embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, with the same reference numerals but increased by 100.

The illustrated sports shoe according to this embodiment of the invention includes an upper 112 and a sole 114. A foot 122 is formed in the heel portion 120 thereof, which is an injection-molded U-shaped cup having side walls 141 and 143 and a horseshoe rib 148. In this embodiment of the invention, the midsole insert 126 has an elastomeric heel 154 adhered to the midsole insert 126. The heel 154 includes bosses 152 that extend therefrom downwardly. The outer sole movable portion 124 is similar to the outer sole movable portion 24 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 4, but additionally includes apertures 150. As seen in FIG. 6, when the midsole insert 126 is in place between the movable portion 124 of the outer sole and the heel 122, the bosses 152 extend through apertures 150 formed in the movable segment 124 of the outer sole.

This arrangement has the advantage that after the wear of the risers, it is sufficient to replace only the midsole insert and do not have to replace the entire sports shoes. Challenging runners will generally get used to a particular running shoe, but these running shoes must be discarded after a certain period of time, as the sole of the running shoe will wear excessively. By forming a heel 154 on the midsole insert 126 as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the shoe upper and generally the entire shoe can be used further. After heel wear, it is replaced with a new heel at the same time as the entire midsole lining.

The embodiment of FIG. 5 further includes a midsole insert 166 formed in front of the sports shoe. In the instep area of the toe there is an injection-molded cup 162, which resembles the cap 122, and which is glued to the shoe upper. The cup 162 is provided with a rib 168 designed to engage a groove 162 formed in the midsole insert 166 (not shown). The horseshoe edge 170 of the cutout portion of the cup 162 may also engage a similar protrusion (not shown) on the midsole insert 166.

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The movable outer sole portion 160 comprising a bottom wall, apertures 170 adapted to receive bosses formed on the midsole insert 166. also includes upwardly facing side walls 167 and 168 provided with elements 182 adapted to engage the hooked projection 169 on the cup 162. the cup 162 will also hold the element 182.

Giant. 7 and FIG. 8 illustrate another embodiment of the present invention in which the individual elements that correspond to those described in connection with the first embodiment of the invention are indicated with the same reference numerals but increased by 200.

Giant. 7 and FIG. 8 show schematically sport shoes. Here, the movable outer sole portion 224 is a one-piece element that covers both the heel portion 220 and the toe area. In this case, the movable outer sole portion 224 is attached to the upper region of the toe as indicated by reference numeral 284. The midsole inserts 226 and 266 are shown only schematically in the drawings, but are similar to the midsole inserts shown in Figs. 1 to FIG. 4 or FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. They will hold onto the cap 222 and cup 262 by means of the elements 232 and 282 and engage the hook-like projections 238, 238a. 269 and 269a in the same manner as previously described embodiments of the invention.

Claims (20)

PATENT CLAIMS A sports shoe having an upper and a sole having at least an outer sole and comprising a toe portion, a vamp portion and a heel portion, wherein the outer sole has a movable portion, the movable portion being rotatable about a transverse axis lying forward at the heel portion of the footwear such that it is movable between a position and an open position, and further a removable outsole insertable between the movable portion of the outer sole and the upper, said movable portion comprising releasable upper fasteners for releasably securing the movable portion to the additional fastening means on the upper, thereby replaceable the outsole , with the movable portion in the closed position, held between the movable portion and the upper, and additional convex and concave engagement protrusions formed on the sole liner, the movable portion and the upper for preventing, when the movable portion is located extending in the closed position, transverse movement of the sole with respect to the upper. Sports shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the sole is made of a plastic material and has different densities to provide variable damping. The sports shoe of claim 1, wherein said complementary convex and concave engagement projections include a rib formed on one of the pair of an upper element and a sole sole, the rib and groove having at least one portion lying longitudinally relative to the footwear to prevent transverse movement of the sole. Sports shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that said movable part of the outer sole is located at least in the heel part of the sole, and said fastening means between the upper and the movable part comprise side walls on the movable part abutting the sides of the upper. 4 444 4 4 * 44 4 4 4 4 4 444 444 4 4 44 44 4 4 4 4 4 5 4 444 444 44 The sports shoe of claim 4, wherein said movable portion of the outer sole comprises upwardly facing side walls adapted to engage the sidewalls of the upper in the heel region, and wherein the attachment means comprises a heel portion having upwardly facing sidewall portions with snap fit. by engaging means adapted to receive portions of the upwardly facing walls of the movable portion of the outer sole so as to maintain the movable portion of the outer sole in the correct position by pressing the outsole on the heel. The sports shoe of claim 5, wherein said side walls of the movable outer sole portion comprise at least one opening on each sidewall, the side walls defining vertical elements and an upper element surrounding said opening, and wherein the side walls of the heel include a protrusion and a gripping element formed spaced above the protrusion such that when the upper element of the movable portion of the outer sole is positioned between the protrusion and the gripping element, they define a protrusion and a gripping element that is less than the thickness of said upper element so that the upper element must fit into the region between the protrusion and the engagement element, thereby ensuring the correct position of the movable part. Sports footwear according to claim 6, characterized in that the outsole includes side protrusions extending from its side walls that engage the apertures defined in the side walls of the movable portion of the outer sole so as to fill the apertures together with said protrusions. Sports shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that the movable part of the outer sole is located at least in the heel part of the sole and has upwardly facing side walls defining openings, each side wall defining vertical elements and an upper element surrounding the opening, side walls of the heel. the upper includes a protrusion and a grip member spaced above the protrusion such that when the upper member of the movable portion of the outer sole is positioned between the protrusion and the grip member, the grip member and the projection define a taper that is less than the thickness of the upper part. 9 «99 ·· 99 99 99 999 9999 · 9 9 9 9,999 99 9 9 99 9 9 9 99 99 99 999 999 .. 99 999 999 99 * 9 99 of the element, so that the upper element must engage the area between the protrusion and the engagement element and thereby engage the movable portion of the outer sole in its position. A sports shoe having an upper and sole having at least an outer sole and comprising a toe portion, a vamp portion and a heel portion, an outer sole having a first movable portion in the heel portion of the sole that is rotatable about a transverse axis lying forward of the heel portion; below the foot of the toe and toe portions of the sole and pivotable about the transverse axis of the toe, the first sole insert insertable between the first movable portion of the outer sole and the upper and the second sole insert insertable between the second movable portion of the outer sole and the upper, both in the front and in the heel of the shoe sole. 10. Sports shoes according to claim 9, characterized in that the heel portion of each sole is fitted with a heel which is provided with ground engaging protrusions extending from the heel and in that the movable part of the outer sole is provided with apertures corresponding to said ground engaging protrusions. such that when the sole is placed between the movable portion of the outer sole and the upper, said ground engaging bosses pass through openings in the movable portion of the outer sole. The sports shoe of claim 1, wherein the movable outer sole portion is located at the heel portion of the sole and further comprises a second movable outer sole portion rotatable about a transverse axis extending at the front of the toe section and a second sole insert insertable at the toe and instep sections. between the movable outer sole and the upper in addition to the sole placed in the heel portion. A sports shoe having an upper and sole, wherein the footwear includes a toe portion, a vamp portion and a heel portion, a sole having at least one movable portion, said movable portion being rotatable between a closed and an open position about a transverse axis located at the front of the heel portion. insert • 12 • 9 99 9 • 9 ·· 99 • 99 9999 9999 9 9,999 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 99 99 99 99999 .. 99 999 999 99 99 99 insertable between the movable part of the sole and the upper with the movable part in its open position, characterized in that a first place is formed on the insert and on the upper and a second place is formed on the movable part of the outer sole. a plurality of protrusions are formed in said first location, and a cooperating aperture is defined in said second location, wherein said projections are insertable into the cooperating aperture, thereby maintaining the movable portion in its closed position. The sports shoe of claim 12, wherein the sole and the upper have at least one of said plurality of protrusions thereon. Sports shoes according to claim 12, characterized in that the sole is made of plastic materials and in that the different sole inserts have different densities and thus provide a choice of cushioning characteristics in the heel of the shoe. The sports shoe of claim 12, further comprising: a rib formed on one of the pair of uppers and sole; and an additional groove formed on the other of the pair of uppers and the sole insert, wherein the rib inserted into the groove prevents the lateral movement of the sole insert. 16. The sports footwear of claim 12, further comprising: a plurality formed on the upper, a plurality of protrusions being formed in said first location, wherein at least one protrusion is located on the plunger; and a gripping member formed on the heel, the gripping member being formed spaced above said at least one projection on the heel, wherein on the side walls of the movable portion a cooperating aperture is defined by the vertical elements and the upper member, and a gripping element such that the movable part of the outer sole is closed in its closed position. • 9 • 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 99,999,999 99 9 · 99 17. The sports shoe of claim 16 wherein said at least one heel protrusion and another protrusion on the sole is inserted simultaneously into said co-opening when the movable portion of the outer sole is closed to its closed position, and wherein the upper member of the movable portion is, when the movable portion of the outer sole is in its open position, removed from the region between said at least one protrusion on the heel and the engagement element. 18. The sports shoe of claim 12, wherein the sole has a central and a side portion, wherein the central portion has a different thickness than the side portion to compensate for excessive pronation or switches. 19. The sports shoe of claim 12, wherein the sole has different densities in its different portions such that different damping characteristics are achieved in different portions of the heel region of the shoe. 20. Sports footwear according to claim 12, wherein the sole is formed in different parts from different materials so as to obtain different characteristics of the sole.