EP0313713A1

EP0313713A1 - Improved sole, particularly designed for cyclost shoes

Info

Publication number: EP0313713A1
Application number: EP87830380A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giuseppe Bigolin
Original assignee: CALZATURIFICIO DUEGI Srl
Current assignee: CALZATURIFICIO DUEGI Srl
Priority date: 1987-10-29
Filing date: 1987-10-29
Publication date: 1989-05-03

Abstract

The cyclist's shoe sole comprises a substantially rigid body which defines seats for housing bolts for anchoring the sole to the pedal and further comprises, at the plantar region, a plurality of throughgoing holes defining corresponding foot aerating channels.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an improved sole structure, which has been specifically designed for cyclist use.
As is known, conventional shoes for cyclists are presently made by using a plastics material sole which, however, presents great problems with respect to the perspiration of the cyclist's foot.
Moreover, another drawback of known cyclist shoes is that, as a pedal is provided with a fastening or coupling member of the "Look" type is employed, the shoe is coupled to the pedal exclusively at the shoe sole.
Because of the mentioned reasons, it may happen that the sole may detach from the shoe upper, as the cyclist pulls on the pedal.
Another drawback of the prior art cyclist shoes is that, because of the particular shape of known shoes, mainly at the heel thereof, the cyclist can hardly deambulate since, during the deambulation, the heel region is practically recessed.
Because of these reasons, the deambulation is very unconfortable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the task of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing an improved sole structure for cyclists, which allows for the cyclist foot to properly perspirate, even at the sole, while using, for making said sole, plastics materials adapted to provide the sole with the desired mechanical resistance characteristics.
Within that task, it is a main object of the present invention to provide such a sole which affords the possibility of directly discharging thereon the pulling efforts transmitted by the cyclist foot, while utilizing fastening or coupling members directly anchoring the sole to the pedal, without the necessity of using the conventional foot supporting small cage and related belt.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a sole which is also adapted for providing a comfortable deambulation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved sole structure which is construction-wise very simple and which, owing to its constructional features, is able of providing a reliable and safe operation.
According to one aspect of the present invention, the above mentioned task and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will become more apparent thereinafter, are achieved by an improved sole structure, particularly designed for cyclist shoes, comprising a substantially rigid body which defines seats for housing bolts for anchoring the sole to the pedal, characterized in that it further comprises, at the plantar region, a plurality of throughgoing holes defining channels for aerating the cyclist foot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the sole structure according to the present invention will become more apparent from the following disclosure of a preferred embodiment thereof, being illustrated, by way of an indicative but not limitative example, in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic side elevation view illustrating the sole structure according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross-longitudinal sectional view illustrating the body of the sole according to the invention;
Figure 3 is a bottom view illustrating the sole according to the invention;
Figure 4 is a top view illustrating the sole according to the invention; and
Figure 5 schematically illustrates some cyclist shoes which can be made by using the sole according to the invention, and during the use period of said shoes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the above mentioned Figures, the improved sole structure according to the invention, which is overally indicated at the reference number 1, comprises a shaped body made of a substantially rigid plastics material which is so shaped as to encompass the lower portion of the cyclist foot, as well as a portion thereof raising at the heel region.
A main feature of the present invention is that, at the front plantar region, there are provided a plurality of throughgoing holes 3, which define aerating channels leading to the outer lower face of said sole, in a ridged or projecting portion 4.
The mentioned channels, defined by the throughgoing holes 3, are slightly slanted in such a way that the inner port of said holes defines a slanted portion toward the rear portion of said sole, to facilitate the penetration of air during the shoe use period.
The air flow, by impinging against the shoe, is practically conveyed into said channels, also owing to the provision of the projecting region 4.
More specifically, the body 2 defines seats 5 therein there are housed bolt members for anchoring the pedal affixing plate, which is overally indicated at the reference number 6.
Another main feature of the present invention is that, at the plantar arch region, there are defined a seat 10 therein a bolt 11 can be engaged adapted for holding a small plate 12.
This small plate operates for coupling a small belt 13 for directly anchoring the cyclist's foot to the sole thereby preventing pulling forces from being exerted susceptible to cause the sole to detach from the upper, in the cases in which the sole is directly coupled to the pedal.
The belt 13, in particular, provides a mechanical type of coupling between the cyclist's foot and shoe sole, thereby improving the coupling efficiency.
At the lower portion of the sole, at the heel region, there is provided a soft material heel 20, which, in this manner, provides a thickened region susceptible to facilitate and render more comfortable the deambulation.
The heel 20 is coupled, through a projecting rib 21, which practically encompasses the front plantar region of the sole, thereby providing an improved print for the sole itself.
At the sole inner face, in addition to the mentioned throughgoing holes 3, there is provided a front padding 30, made of a silicone rubber, which provides a soft resting region for the foot front portion.
A rear padding 31 is moreover provided, having like structural characteristics, and shaped in such a way as to provide an improved resting region for the heel.
From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the invention fully achieves the intended task and objects.
In particular, it is to point out that a sole structure has been provided which is able of assuring a satisfactory aeration at the foot lower portion, thereby providing a greatly comfortable fitting for the user.
Moreover, the provision of the belt 13, which practically encompasses the cyclist's foot, and provides a stable coupling between the sole and cyclist's foot, prevents the sole from accidentally detaching from the upper.
Moreover, the provision of the heel 30 provides the shoe including the sole according to the invention, with a very comfortable shape susceptible to facilitate the deambulation.
In practicing the invention, the used materials, though the better results have been obtained by the above disclosed materials, as well as the specific shapes and sizes,may be any according to requirements.

Claims

1. An improved sole structure, specifically designed for cyclist shoes, comprising a substantially rigid body which defines seats for housing bolts for anchoring the sole to the pedal, characterized in that it further comprises, at the plantar region, a plurality of throughgoing holes, which define channels for aerating the cyclist's foot.

2. An improved sole structure, particularly designed for cyclist shoes, according to the preceding Claim, characterized in that said channels lead to the bottom face of said body, at a projecting region, adapted to provide an air impacting zone, for introducing aerating air into said channels.

3. An improved sole structure, particularly designed for cyclist shoes, according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that said channels are slanted toward the foot rear portion, starting from their openings, at said projecting region.

4. An improved sole structure, particularly designed for cyclist shoes, according to one or more of the preceding Claims, character ized in that it comprises a seat adapted for housing a bolt for affixing a small plate provided for coupling a belt encompassing the cyclist foot, so as to provide a mechanical type of coupling between the cyclist foot and sole.

5. An improved sole structure, particularly designed for cyclist shoes,according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that it comprises, at the outer face of said body, at the heel region, a heel making thickened zone.

6. An improved sole structure, particularly designed for cyclist shoes, according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that it comprises an outer rib which extends from the heel and substantially extends to the edges of the front region of said body.

7. An improved sole structure, particularly designed for cyclist shoes, according to one or more of the preceding Claims, characterized in that it comprises, on the inner face thereof, a front padding, at the front plantar region, and a rear padding, at the heel region, said paddings being made of an anatomically shaped silicone rubber.