EP0092366B1 - Running shoes - Google Patents

Running shoes Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0092366B1
EP0092366B1 EP19830302053 EP83302053A EP0092366B1 EP 0092366 B1 EP0092366 B1 EP 0092366B1 EP 19830302053 EP19830302053 EP 19830302053 EP 83302053 A EP83302053 A EP 83302053A EP 0092366 B1 EP0092366 B1 EP 0092366B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sole
durometer material
thickness
running
pair
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP19830302053
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0092366A1 (en
Inventor
Melvyn Peter Cheskin
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Brooks Sports Inc
Original Assignee
Wolverine World Wide Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Wolverine World Wide Inc filed Critical Wolverine World Wide Inc
Publication of EP0092366A1 publication Critical patent/EP0092366A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0092366B1 publication Critical patent/EP0092366B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/02—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the material
    • A43B13/12—Soles with several layers of different materials
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/143—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form provided with wedged, concave or convex end portions, e.g. for improving roll-off of the foot
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
    • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
    • A43B13/143—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form provided with wedged, concave or convex end portions, e.g. for improving roll-off of the foot
    • A43B13/148—Wedged end portions

Definitions

  • This invention relates to running shoes.
  • Such shoes commonly include an upper and what can be called a «neutral plane» sole, that is a sole which is of uniform thickness between the inner (varus) side of the shoe and the outer (valgus) side of the shoe.
  • Such soles although usually comprising an outsole and a midsole, are commonly formed of uniform density between the varus and valgus sides.
  • the human anatomy is such that when a person runs, or walks for that matter, the rear valgus portion of the heel of each foot makes initial contact during each step. The ground contacting foot then rolls inward, a process called pronation, whereupon the person's body weight is brought from the outside edge of the foot inward toward the centre of the arch. The foot then rolls outwardly and toes off toward the great toe to complete a step.
  • each of a pair of running shoes comprising an upper and a sole running the length of the shoe from the heel to the toe, the sole comprising an outsole and a midsole
  • the midsole includes a first member and a second member, each member varying in thickness across the width thereof, said first member being disposed about said second member so that the combined thickness of said members is constant across the width of said sole
  • the said members being formed of materials having different durometers from one another so that the ratio of the thickness of the higher durometer material relative to the thickness of the lower durometer material is greatest immediately adjacent the inner side of the sole and is lowest immediately adjacent the outer side of the sole, and the ratio of the thickness of the lower durometer material to the higher durometer material varies from the outer side of the shoe to the inner side of the shoe over the portion of the sole region extending the full length of the heel to a point adjacent the arch of the wearer's foot.
  • the construction of the sole according to the invention lessens abnormal pronation.
  • the shoes may be constructed so that impact shock is distributed evenly during running; at the same time the shoes employ a transversely level or « neutral plane» sole.
  • the construction of sole permits greater contact surface area than conventional shoes, thereby distributing impact shock more evenly during running, yet providing media- longitudinal arch support for decreasing abnormal pronation, while allowing for the natural pronation of the foot.
  • Fig. 1 shows a running shoe 20 designed to be used by the competitive runner or recreational jogger alike.
  • the shoe basically comprises a conventional upper 22 and a sole unit 24.
  • the upper 22 has an inner or varus side 26 and an outer or valgus side 28.
  • the sole unit 24 runs the entire length of the shoe from the heel 30 to thetoe 32 between the varus and valgus sides 26 and 28, respectively.
  • the sole unit 24 comprises an outsole 34 and a midsole 36.
  • the outsole is of conventional construction and includes plural gripping elements or cleats 38.
  • the midsole is formed as a composite structure and, as will be described in detail hereinafter, is arranged to provide the over-pronation lessening characteristics exhibited by running shoes constructed in accordance with US-A-4,180,924 in a neutral plane sole.
  • the midsole 36 includes two layers, namely top layer 40 and bottom layer 42. The layers extend for a substantial length . of the sole between the heel and to a point adjacent the front of the arch.
  • Each layer is formed of a resilient material like that used in midsoles of conventional running shoes, except that the hardness or durometer of each layer is different from that of the other.
  • the upper layer is of higher durometer material than the lower layer.
  • the upper layer can have a durometer within the range of 45 ⁇ 10%, Shore A, while the lower layer has a durometer within the range of 35 ⁇ 10%, Shore A.
  • the layers of the midsole 36 are preferably made of ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) but, alternatively, may be made of polyurethane or any number of other materials used in running shoes.
  • EVA ethyl vinyl acetate
  • each layer varies across the width of the sole, i.e., between the varus and valgus sides, but with the combined thickness of both layers being constant across said width. This feature ensures that the sole is of the «neutral plane» type.
  • the layers 40 and 42 are constructed so that the layer having the thicker portion contiguous with the varus side is of the higher durometer material. Accordingly, the hardness of the midsole contiguous with the varus side of the sole is higher than that of the valgus side. With such a construction, during the pronation phase of each running step the varus side of the shoe does not compress as readily as the valgus side. Therefore, the abnormal tendency toward over-pronation is obviated or at least minimized. a
  • the top layer 40 which is formed of higher density material tapers linearly in thickness from the varus side to the valgus side, with the ratio of the higher density material to the lower density material being approximately 3 to 1 adjacent the varus side and approximately 1 to 3 adjacent the valgus side.
  • the lower layer 42 which is formed of the lower density material, tapers linearly in thickness from the valgus side to the varus side. The degree of taper of both layers is the same.
  • the layers are adhesively secured along their interface 44.
  • the top surface 46 of the top layer 40 and the bottom surface 48 of the bottom layer are disposed horizontally so that the combined overall thickness of two layers of the midsole 36 in a transverse direction across the width of the sole is constant.
  • the midsole 36 is thicker under the heel of the upper and tapers downward longitudinally under the arch toward the forefoot area, to provide the necessary heel lift or elevation for comfortable, safe running.
  • the total thickness of the midsole 36 is between 15 mm and 25 mm at its thickest portion, with the exact thickness depending on several factors, such as the type of running intended (e.g., racing, recreational jogging, etc.) and the personal preference of the wearer. From Fig. 1, it will be seen that at least on the varus side, the bottom layer 42 of lower durometer tapers longitudinally to a thickness of zero adjacent the arch of the wearer's foot and from there forward the midsole consists only of the upper layer 40 of higher durometer.
  • the bottom and top layers both extend the full length of the sole but in the region forward of the wearer's arch they are both of constant thickness across the width of the sole;
  • the ratio of the thickness of the lower durometer material to the higher durometer material varies from the outer side of the shoe to the inner side of the shoe over the portion of the sole region extending the full length of the heel to a point adjacent the arch of the wearer's foot, said ratio being constant over the remaining portion of the sole.
  • the left shoe of the pair is of corresponding construction but appropriately 'handed' so that the higher density material is again thicker at the varus side and the lower density material is thicker at the valgus side.
  • the general construction is the same as that described with reference to Fig. 1 and 2 but, as is shown in Fig. 3, the higher density and lower density materials, forming the two layers of the midsole, are transposed. Accordingly in this embodiment the top layer 40 is formed of the lower density material and tapers from the valgus side to the varus side, while the bottom layer 42 is formed of the higher density material and tapers from the varus side to the valgus side.
  • the two layers 40 and 42 need nottaper linearly across the width of the sole, as shown in Fig. 2 and 3, nor need they be of corresponding thicknesses tapering in opposite directions, so long as the ratio of the thickness of the higher durometer material relative to the lower durometer material is greatest adjacent the varus side, e.g., the layer of higher density has its thicker side at the varus side of the sole, and the top surface of the top layer is substantially horizontal in the transverse direction when the outsole is flat on a horizontal running surface.
  • the two layers need not be formed as separate units which are secured together.

Landscapes

  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Materials Engineering (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
EP19830302053 1982-04-21 1983-04-12 Running shoes Expired EP0092366B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US37040082A 1982-04-21 1982-04-21
US370400 1982-04-21

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0092366A1 EP0092366A1 (en) 1983-10-26
EP0092366B1 true EP0092366B1 (en) 1985-07-03

Family

ID=23459478

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19830302053 Expired EP0092366B1 (en) 1982-04-21 1983-04-12 Running shoes

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0092366B1 (ja)
JP (1) JPS58190401A (ja)
CA (1) CA1186507A (ja)
DE (1) DE3360348D1 (ja)

Families Citing this family (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6155808U (ja) * 1984-09-17 1986-04-15
FR2598293B1 (fr) * 1986-05-09 1988-09-09 Salomon Sa Chaussure de golf
US6108943A (en) * 1998-01-30 2000-08-29 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear having medial and lateral sides with differing characteristics
JP3215664B2 (ja) 1998-05-22 2001-10-09 美津濃株式会社 スポーツ用シューズのミッドソール構造
JP3238132B2 (ja) * 1998-10-02 2001-12-10 美津濃株式会社 スポーツ用シューズのミッドソール構造
FR2819385B1 (fr) 2001-01-12 2004-01-09 Salomon Sa Semelle intermediaire et chaussure equipee d'une telle semelle
DE10112821B9 (de) * 2001-03-16 2004-10-28 Adidas International Marketing B.V. Schuhsohle und Schuh
HUP0800101A2 (en) * 2008-02-18 2011-11-28 Laszlo Solymosi Shoes with unstable sole construction
US8316558B2 (en) 2008-12-16 2012-11-27 Skechers U.S.A., Inc. Ii Shoe
US7877897B2 (en) 2008-12-16 2011-02-01 Skechers U.S.A., Inc. Ii Shoe
KR100992423B1 (ko) * 2010-06-29 2010-11-08 양철호 신발 밑창
WO2013145218A1 (ja) * 2012-03-29 2013-10-03 株式会社アシックス 歩行に適した靴底
WO2014141467A1 (ja) 2013-03-15 2014-09-18 株式会社アシックス 積層構造を持つミッドソール
JP5976915B2 (ja) * 2015-11-26 2016-08-24 株式会社アシックス 積層構造を持つミッドソール
JP6295386B1 (ja) * 2017-05-08 2018-03-14 周平 宮田 新規ヒールアセンブリおよびそれを備える履物
CN112074204B (zh) * 2018-05-18 2022-03-22 株式会社爱世克私 具有层叠结构的中底的鞋底

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3738373A (en) * 1971-08-11 1973-06-12 J Glancy Shoe heel with cushion wedge
CA920352A (en) * 1972-02-03 1973-02-06 P. White Thomas Athletic boot having improved counters
US4316334A (en) * 1980-03-27 1982-02-23 Hunt Helen M Athletic shoe including stiffening means for supporting the rear portion of the first metatarsal bone
US4364189A (en) * 1980-12-05 1982-12-21 Bates Barry T Running shoe with differential cushioning

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA1186507A (en) 1985-05-07
DE3360348D1 (en) 1985-08-08
JPS58190401A (ja) 1983-11-07
EP0092366A1 (en) 1983-10-26
JPS6235762B2 (ja) 1987-08-04

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