DE102021107190A1 - Footwear - Google Patents

Abstract

In the case of footwear according to the invention, comprising an upper (1) and an outsole (4), it is provided that the upper (1) has a heel recess or a heel cutout (121) in a bottom area (12), this heel recess or this The heel cutout (121) is designed in such a way that a midsole (2) can be introduced into the shoe upper (1) at least in some areas with an inner area (23) and an outer area (24) of the midsole (2) emerges from the heel recess or the heel cutout ( 121) of the upper (1) protrudes.

Description

The present invention falls within the technical field of footwear, which is characterized by the joining of individual parts; in the present case it relates to footwear comprising an upper and an outsole according to the preamble of claim 1.

In the following, spatial terms such as above, below, front, back, inside or outside are used in connection with footwear, whereby their intended use is assumed, so that consequently an outsole is arranged below and a shoe upper is arranged above this outsole; furthermore, a heel area of the footwear is arranged at the rear and a toe is arranged at the front; the insides and the outsides of the footwear then also result from this in a simple manner.

Prior art, technological background of the invention

Footwear of the type mentioned at the outset are known, for example, from the publication EP 3 364 805 B1 , Here a footwear with a sole and a shoe upper is disclosed, the sole showing a floor area from which at least one support part extends laterally upwards when the footwear is used as intended, and the upper part of the shoe has a sock-like section connected to the sole for receiving the Includes the wearer's foot. It is provided for an improved system of the footwear on the foot of the wearer that the at least one support part covers the sock-like section on the outside of the shoe, with a fixed connection between the support part and the sock-like section being present via at least one section of the support part, and that both the at least a support part as well as the sock-like section are surrounded by a tensioning element which in any case tensions both the support part and the sock-like section in sections against the foot of the wearer.

With the publication WO 2012/12332 a footwear with a foot stabilization system is disclosed. These conventional footwear consist of two main elements, an upper and a sole structure. The shaft provides a cover for the foot that comfortably accommodates the foot and positions it securely in relation to the sole structure. The sole structure is attached to a lower part of the shoe upper and is generally positioned between the foot and the ground. In addition to dampening the ground reaction forces, the sole structure can provide traction, control foot movements (e.g. through resistance to pronation) and e.g. provide stability.

Basically, footwear, especially sports footwear, is designed for a specific purpose. Some athletic footwear items are designed to withstand a sudden impact. Others are designed to withstand side impacts; some are designed to improve stability, others are designed to provide improved cushioning. The purpose a shoe is used for determines the design decisions that designers make. In particular, some physical activity may require the body to move quickly and frequently to the side. Sports such as tennis and basketball are examples of sports activities that require such dynamic lateral movements. The lateral movements require a secure foot support in order to maintain stability. Injuries can occur without a secure footing. Therefore, shoes that clamp the foot laterally during such lateral movements are designed for the practice of such sporting activities.

While the lateral limitation is one factor to consider when designing athletic shoes, another factor is the weight and comfort of the athletic shoe. In general, athletic footwear is designed to be lightweight and provide a comfortable fit. In addition, the construction of the footwear has a decisive influence on its production costs and consequently also the cost-effectiveness in the mass production of sports footwear.

The cited prior art has in common that the shoes shown are constructed in a kind of sandwich construction, in which an outsole structure from below and a lateral foot stabilization structure surround a sock-like shoe upper, which then completely encloses the foot of a wearer. All of the forces acting on the footwear from the foot are thus indirectly diverted to the foot stabilization structure or the sole structure via the sock-like upper - in which an insole is regularly incorporated or inserted - which must withstand these forces and the foot and this in operative connection to protect standing joints.

Presentation of the invention

It is the object of the present invention to further develop footwear in such a way that an improvement in terms of stability is achieved, furthermore a more direct contact of the wearer's foot with the respective ground is provided, and a simplification of the whole Footwear construction is made possible, which simplification is able to reduce the number of individual footwear parts for the manufacture of the footwear and also its weight.

The object on which the invention for the footwear is based is achieved by the features of claim 1; the features developing this inventive concept are each the subject matter of subclaims 2 to 16.

The essence of the present invention is to be seen in the fact that the footwear comprises an upper and an outsole, the upper having a heel recess or a heel cutout on a floor area, that is, the upper is designed to be free of heels in its floor area, wherein in the heel recess or a midsole in the heel cutout can be introduced at least in some areas into this upper, and an outer area of the midsole protrudes from the heel cutout or the heel cutout of the upper. Thus, on the one hand, the midsole is arranged partially inside the shoe upper and, on the other hand, partially, namely only in the heel area, outside the shoe upper. The foot of a wearer now advantageously stands directly on this midsole, which protrudes from the upper in the heel area and thus offers the possibility of a direct connection to the ground. With this shoe construction according to the invention, on the one hand there is no need for an insole, which is normally required in footwear of this type, and the wearer of this footwear has direct contact with the ground at least in the heel area via the midsole. The shoe uppers used here are known to have a sock-like design, so that in the present case the foot is now enclosed in the interplay of the shoe upper and midsole; Compared to the state of the art, this results in a more secure hold of the foot in the footwear and a perceived safer - because more direct - connection to the ground. From an economic point of view, at least one inner sole is also saved, which - at lower cost - also simplifies production. In one embodiment of the invention it is provided that the outer area of the midsole completely closes the heel recess or the heel cutout of the shoe upper, the inner area of the midsole being completely enclosed on the outside by the shoe upper.

For further improved support of the foot, in one embodiment of the footwear according to the invention, an at least partially circumferential wall structure is provided on the midsole, which surrounds a foot on its outer circumference in the form of a raised edge. It is particularly advantageous if this wall structure comprises an inner heel wall which is also at least partially surrounded on the outside by the shoe upper. It is also advantageous if the midsole has a heel structure in the outer area. This heel structure can also have one or more profile studs that attack the ground when worn, or have recesses for the purpose of weight reduction. The midsole shown here can typically be made of PU (polyurethane) or EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), which has a different weight and damping coefficient compared to an outsole made of rubber. In one embodiment of the invention it is provided that a cover layer is arranged on the bottom area of the shoe upper for the purpose of stabilization or traction, which cover layer can cover the shoe upper with a reinforcing sole. The reinforcement sole can also have one or more profile studs, which can be provided for interaction with the ground. For an even further improvement in the hold of a foot, the cover layer has a number of reinforcing elements which at least partially enclose the upper of the shoe on an upper side thereof.

Towards the ground, an outsole is arranged on the heel structure and the bottom area of the shoe upper, which outsole can be made in one piece, in two pieces or in several pieces. In a two-part embodiment, a spacing is conceivable as a separating element, which has an effect on the torsional stiffness of the footwear; The torsional stiffness can now be easily adapted to the more strongly emphasized conditions such as stability, comfort, lightness. Furthermore, one or more recesses are advantageous in the outsole heel and the outsole front part, through which the profile studs of the heel structure or the profile studs of the reinforcement sole protrude and thus can interact directly with the ground.

For improved protection of the foot, it is advantageous if the front part of the outsole has a protector structure at the tip of the outsole. Furthermore, the stability is also improved by means of a number of reinforcement elements, which are arranged, for example, on the front part of the outsole, and which at least partially enclose the top layer and consequently also the upper part. Furthermore, an additional protector structure on a tip of the cover layer is also conceivable in order to increase the protection of the foot. Further advantages can be found in the detailed description of the figures below.

Figure list

In the following, the invention is explained by way of example with reference to figures. The same objects are generally provided with the same reference symbols in the figures. At this point it is pointed out that the figures have no restrictive effect on the subject matter of the invention, but merely represent possible embodiments of the inventive concept, which can of course also be applied to other footwear than those shown here without any creative contribution.

• 1a, b, c ein Schuhoberteil eines erfindungsgemässen Schuhwerks in einer Seitenansicht von schräg unten, ferner eine weitere Ansicht des Bodenbereichs des Schuhoberteils und eine weitere Seitenansicht des schräg angeordneten Schuhoberteils von hinten nach vorne;
• 2a, b, c eine Zwischensohle des erfindungsgemässen Schuhwerks für das Schuhoberteil gemäss 1a, b, c in einer Draufsicht von schräg oben, eine Ansicht dieser Zwischensohle von schräg unten und eine Seitenansicht der zusammengefügten Zwischensohle mit dem Schuhoberteil;
• 3a, b eine Laufsohle für das Schuhwerk bzw. an dem Schuhwerk gemäss 2c mit Schnürsenkelösen am Schuhoberteil;
• 4a, b eine weitere Laufsohle für das Schuhwerk bzw. an dem Schuhwerk gemäss 2c mit Schnürsenkelösen an dieser Laufsohle;
• 5a, b eine noch weitere Laufsohle für das Schuhwerk bzw. an dem Schuhwerk gemäss 2c mit Schnürsenkelösen an dieser Laufsohle;
• 6a, b, c eine Verstärkungsstruktur für das Schuhoberteil gemäss 1a, b, c in einer Draufsicht von schräg unten, eine Seitenansicht der mit dem Schuhoberteil zusammengefügten Verstärkungsstruktur, ebenfalls von schräg unten, und eine Draufsicht von schräg oben auf die Verstärkungsstruktur am Schuhoberteil;
• 7a, b, c eine Laufsohle für das Schuhoberteil gemäss 6b, c in einer Seitenansicht von unten, eine weitere Seitenansicht der Laufsohle von schräg unten, zusammengefügt mit dem Schuhoberteil inklusive der Zwischensohle und eine weitere Seitenansicht des erfindungsgemässen Schuhwerks von schräg oben.

It shows purely schematically the

• 1a, b , c a shoe upper of a shoe according to the invention in a side view from obliquely below, furthermore a further view of the bottom area of the shoe upper and a further side view of the obliquely arranged shoe upper from the back to the front;
• 2a, b , c a midsole of the footwear according to the invention for the shoe upper according to FIG 1a, b , c in a plan view obliquely from above, a view of this midsole obliquely from below and a side view of the joined midsole with the shoe upper;
• 3a, b an outsole for the footwear or on the footwear according to 2c with shoelace eyelets on the upper part of the shoe;
• 4a, b another outsole for the footwear or on the footwear according to 2c with shoelace eyelets on this outsole;
• 5a, b yet another outsole for the footwear or on the footwear according to FIG 2c with shoelace eyelets on this outsole;
• 6a, b , c a reinforcement structure for the shoe upper according to FIG 1a, b , c in a plan view obliquely from below, a side view of the reinforcement structure joined together with the shoe upper, likewise from obliquely below, and a plan view obliquely from above onto the reinforcement structure on the shoe upper;
• 7a, b , c an outsole for the shoe upper according to 6b, c in a side view from below, a further side view of the outsole from obliquely below, joined together with the upper including the midsole and a further side view of the footwear according to the invention from obliquely above.

Ways of Carrying Out the Invention

In the 1a, b , c is a shoe upper 1 of the footwear according to the invention shown in three views. A first side view from diagonally below is disclosed in FIG 1a that the shoe upper 1 has a closed, three-dimensional shape towards the tip, the top of which 11 a foot opening 111 and on her one floor area 12th a heel recess or a heel cutout 121 . Such shoe uppers are typically 1 Manufactured like a sock from common synthetic fibers, single-layer or multi-layer textile structures being used. Such shoe uppers are produced in one piece or in several parts, for example by means of knitting machines, and sewing processes, adhesive processes or hot-melt adhesive processes are also used here. Heel recesses or heel cutouts 121 can for example be cut out of the knitted shoe upper, with a resulting cut edge also being weldable by means of the action of heat.

The view in 1b provides insight into the heel recess or into the heel cutout 121 from the floor area 12th of the shoe upper 1 ; It is easy to see that the shoe upper 1 at its bottom area 12th is flattened and closed towards the tip. The shoe upper 1 thus encloses a cavity into which the foot of a wearer can slip. the 1c shows in a further oblique side view from behind the heel recess or the heel cutout 121 .

In the 2a and 2 B is a midsole 2 shown, which is divided into two sub-areas, namely an interior area 23 and an outdoor area 24 which are useful for a simpler, further description. The oblique top view of the 2a discloses an insole structure 21 over the entire length of the midsole 2 and shows an at least partial wall structure on its outer edge 242 which gives a foot stability. On the outside 24 is a paragraph structure 22nd formed, which towards the top - as part of the wall structure 242 - a heel inner wall 241 having. This inner heel wall 241 takes on the heel of a wearer, not shown here, when the footwear according to the invention is worn; thus the heel is firmly enclosed towards the rear and laterally towards the inside or outside of the footwear in order to be able to provide a connection between footwear and foot that is as intimate as possible and free of any possible slipping. In addition to the improved stability, the inner wall of the heel conveys 241 Furthermore, a firmer, more secure hold and also protection against bumps.

Of the 2 B is in another side view of the midsole 2 from diagonally below that this midsole can be seen on the outside 24 on the sales structure 22nd Profile studs 221 having a direct interaction between the midsole 2 and the subsurface, not shown here. This new construction of the footwear establishes this connection between the ground and the heel on the midsole 2 the most authentic possible perceptibility of this surface for the wearer of the footwear.

2c shows in approximately the same side view as in 2 B the midsole assembled according to the invention 2 with the shoe upper 1 ; it can be seen that the in the 2a, b shown interior 23 the midsole 2 now completely inside the shoe upper 1 was added by the midsole 2 into the heel recess 121 , see also 1a, b , c , was inserted so far that only the outside area 24 the midsole 2 with the paragraph structure 22nd protrudes. In this footwear, the foot of a wearer is therefore completely separate from the shoe upper 1 and the midsole 2 enclosed, which on the one hand makes the sock-like upper part of the shoe very comfortable to wear 1 is given and on the other hand the firm and immediate connection between the foot and the midsole 2 . The midsole meets the front 2 the function of a conventional insole and towards the rear is the midsole 2 a direct connection to the underground. In this way, this dual function also reduces the number of parts required for this footwear and reduces its weight.

In 3a is an outsole 4th shown, the -like 3b shows - with the shoe upper 1 including inlaid midsole 2 the end 2c is joined together, resulting in an embodiment of the footwear according to the invention. The outsole 4th is to the rear of the heel structure 22nd the midsole 2 arranged and forward on the floor area 12th of the shoe upper 1 , with this outsole 4th Profile studs 412 respectively. 421 having. A number on the side of the shoe upper 1 raised reinforcement elements 425 are also part of the outsole 4th like a protector structure 423 on an outsole tip 424 . On the upper part of the shoe 1 are shoelace eyelets 331 arranged through the laces can be guided. The embodiment in the 4a, b differs from the previous one only in the arrangement of the shoelace eyelets 331 which here on the reinforcement elements 425 are arranged. Yet another embodiment is shown in FIG 5a, b which, in turn, is only reflected in the arrangement of the shoelace eyelets 331 distinguishes which one is present directly on the side of the outsole 4th are arranged.

6a discloses a cover layer in a side view obliquely from below 3 that gives the footwear even more strength and stability. Forward to a point 31 this top layer points out 3 a protector structure 311 that is able to protect the foot in the toe area from bumps. To the rear, the top layer covers 3 a number of reinforcement elements 33 with attached shoelace eyelets 331 . In the bottom area of the top layer 3 this has a reinforcement sole 32 on with a number of tread lugs (tread bar / tread / tread lug) 321, which in the 6b are even more clearly visible. There is the upper of the shoe 1 with the midsole 2 - here is only the outside area 24 this midsole 2 visible - with the reinforcement structure 3 put together and shown from diagonally below. The profile tunnels are to be emphasized here 221 on the sales structure 22nd and the profile studs 321 on the reinforcement sole 32 , the special meaning of which will be examined below. the 6c shows, in an oblique plan view from above of the footwear, all the parts that have been joined, namely the upper 1 with the midsole 2 and their sales structure 22nd connected to the top layer 3 and its reinforcement elements 33 with the shoelace eyelets 331 . It can be seen that the reinforcement elements 33 on the one hand to give stability to the footwear to the inside, to the outside and to the rear and on the other hand to be used for a firm tying of the foot in the footwear. Overall, footwear is found that meets high demands in terms of wearing comfort, both in terms of strength and stability and in terms of the lowest possible weight.

In the 7a, b , c the focus is on the outsole 4th of the footwear, which outsole is made in two parts in the present case; 7a presents this outsole 4th with an outsole heel 41 and a front outsole part 42 that are separated from one another in the present case, see also a distance 43 in 7b . The outsole heel 41 shows profile studs arranged adjacent to one another at its bottom area 412 and recesses 411 , through which - how 7b brightens up - the tread studs 221 the sales structure 22nd protrude through. The front part of the outsole also shows 42 adjacent profile studs 421 and recesses 422 , through the tread lugs 321 the reinforcement sole 32 protrude through. As already highlighted above, they serve through the outsole 4th protruding profile tunnels 221 and 321 a better perception of the underground on the one hand, on the other hand the recesses form 411 and 421 with the protruding profile studs 221 and 321 Plug-in connection elements based on the “male / female” pattern, making for a particularly simple and precise positioning of the outsole 4th is made possible on the footwear. Another essential aspect of the Recesses 411 respectively. 422 is the saving of material for the outsole 4th , which is made of rubber, for example, and thus has a higher specific weight than, for example, the midsole made of PU 2 or top layer 3 ; thus allow the recesses 411 respectively. 422 a weight reduction of the footwear. They also offer through the recesses 411 respectively. 422 protruding profile tunnels 221 respectively. 321 the advantage that, due to their material, they have different adhesive and traction properties than those of the outsole 4th The footwear can be used more widely, since the more favorable adhesive or traction properties can now dominate on different substrates. On the tip of an outsole 423 shows the front part of the outsole 42 another protector structure 424 to protect the foot on and on the side also stabilizers 425 that the foot in the shoe upper 1 once again gives more lateral support. At a distance 43 , please refer 7b , is a cleavage area 25th between the midsole 2 and the top layer 3 , see also 6b , recognizable. With this gap area 25th the torsional stiffness of the footwear can be determined, and was by means of a suitable choice of material for the midsole 2 and their thickness in the gap area 25th , which benefits the increased wearing comfort.

7c shows in a plan view from obliquely above the entire footwear, which only the laces are missing.

List of reference symbols

1

Shoe upper

11

Top of 1

111

Foot opening in 1

12th

Floor area from 1

121

Heel recess in 1

2

Midsole

21

Insole structure

22nd

Sales structure

221

Tread on 22

23

Inside area of 2

24

Outside area of 2

241

Heel inner wall on 2

242

Wall structure on 2

25th

Gap area at 2

3

Reinforcement structure

31

top

311

first protector structure on 31

32

Reinforcement sole

321

Profile lugs on 32

33

Top layer

331

Shoelace eyelet

4th

Outsole

41

Outsole heel

411

Recesses in 41 for 221

412

Profile studs

42

Outsole front part

421

Profile studs

422

Recesses in 42 for 321

423

Outsole tip

424

second protector structure at 423

425

Reinforcement element

43

Distance between 41 and 42

QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Patent literature cited

• EP 3364805 B1 [0003]
• WO 2012/12332 [0004]

Claims (16)

Footwear comprising an upper (1) and an outsole (4), characterized in that the upper (1) has a heel recess or a heel cutout (121) in a bottom region (12), this heel recess or this heel cutout (121) ) is designed in such a way that a midsole (2) can be introduced into the shoe upper (1) at least in some areas with an inner area (23) and an outer area (24) of the midsole (2) from the heel recess or the heel cutout (121) of the Upper part (1) protrudes. Footwear after Claim 1 , characterized in that the outer area (24) of the midsole (2) closes the heel recess or the heel cutout (121) of the shoe upper (1). Footwear according to one of the Claims 1 or 2 , characterized in that the shoe upper (1) completely encloses the inner area (23) of the midsole (2) towards the outside. Footwear according to one of the preceding Claims 1 until 3 , characterized in that the midsole (2) at least partially has a circumferential wall structure (241, 242). Footwear after Claim 4 , characterized in that the midsole (2) has an inner heel wall (241) on the outer region (24), which inner heel wall (241) is at least partially surrounded by the upper (1). Footwear according to one of the preceding Claims 1 until 5 , characterized in that the midsole (2) comprises a heel structure (22) in the outer area (24). Footwear after Claim 6 , characterized in that the heel structure (22) has one or more profile studs (221). Footwear according to one of the preceding Claims 6 or 7th , characterized in that the upper (1) has a cover layer (3) on the outside. Footwear after Claim 8 , characterized in that a reinforcing sole (32) has one or more profile studs (321) on the cover layer (3). Footwear according to one of the Claims 8 or 9 , characterized in that the cover layer (3) further comprises a number of first reinforcing elements (33) which at least partially enclose the upper (1) on an upper side (11) of the same. Footwear according to one of the Claims 8 until 10 , characterized in that the cover layer (3) has a first protector structure (311) towards a tip (31). Footwear according to one of the preceding Claims 6 until 11 , characterized in that a one-part or multi-part outsole (4) is arranged on the heel structure (22) and the bottom area (12) of the shoe upper (1). Footwear after Claim 12 , characterized in that the outsole (4) is designed in one piece, in two parts or in several parts and comprises at least one outsole heel (41) and at least one outsole front part (42). Footwear after Claim 13 , characterized in that the outsole heel (41) and / or the outsole front part (42) have one or more recesses (411, 422) through which the profile studs (221) of the heel structure (22) or the profile studs (321) of the reinforcement sole (32) protrude. Footwear according to one of the Claims 12 or 13th , characterized in that the outsole front part (42) has a second protector structure (424) at an outsole tip (423) of the same. Footwear according to one of the Claims 11 until 13th , characterized in that the front outsole part (42) has a number of second reinforcing elements (425) which at least partially enclose the cover layer (3).

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