EP1509100B1 - Outsole - Google Patents

Abstract

An outsole ( 1, 3 ), in particular, for athletic shoes ( 2 ) can be realized with a significant elastic deformability in the tangential direction so as to also achieve a superior shock-absorption when the foot contacts the ground obliquely and with a slight propulsive force. According to the invention, the sole ( 1 ) essentially is only rigid to a tangential deformation beyond at least one critical point of deformation in the region that is deformed to this critical point. This results in a correspondingly increased stability for the runner in the respective point of contact or load application. The runner is also able to push off from the point of load application without any loss in distance. A floating effect on the sole is prevented. The sole can be affixed, as a whole or in a plurality of parts, also detachably to an intermediate sole ( 4 ) of the shoe ( 2 ).

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to an outsole, in particular for sports shoes, with elastic deformability in the tangential direction.

In the case of deformation in the tangential direction, a deformation caused by shearing in the direction tangential or parallel to the areal extent of the outsole or its running surface. It is to be distinguished from e.g. Deformation caused by compression in the direction of vertical to the surface expansion of the outsole or its tread. On a horizontal surface, the directions coincide tangentially approximately with horizontal and vertical, approximately with vertical.

STATE OF THE ART

Outsoles with elastically yielding outsoles are known in large numbers and in a wide variety of training, with a variety of elastic materials are used with a variety of hardnesses. Also known are outsoles with embedded air or gel pads. They are intended to cushion the loads occurring during running and thereby protect the musculoskeletal system of the runner, in particular its joints, and also convey a pleasant ride.

Most sports running shoes currently commercially available have spring characteristics that allow suspension primarily in the vertical direction or in the direction perpendicular to the tread while compressing the sole, but are relatively stiff in the horizontal and tangential directions, respectively, and oblique and somewhat Slightly give way to sliding appearance. The latter The reason for this is probably that a greater deformability of the sole in a horizontal direction would inevitably produce a sort of floating effect which would have a negative effect on the stability and stability of the runner. At least, the runner would lose a certain amount of distance at each step, since the sole would deform something when repelled from the point of occurrence in the desired direction of movement only in the opposite direction. To a certain extent, the swimming effect naturally occurs in the known sports shoes.

WO 81/01234 describes one which serves as a basis for claim 1.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has as its object to provide an outsole, which can be formed while avoiding the described floating effect in a simple training in the tangential direction sufficiently soft and yielding.

The object is achieved by an outsole with elastic deformability in the tangential direction, according to claim 1.

With a suitable choice of the at least one critical deformation and the necessary burden of the outsole under suitable adjustment of their hardness or compliance can be achieved that the sole according to the invention over a wide deformation range is also tangentially soft and resilient, and limits the critical deformation while running locally is achieved only in the maximum loaded zone of the sole and temporally only around the maximum load around.

Thus, on the one hand sufficient cushioning is achieved even with an oblique and or slightly pushing appearance, on the other hand, but also a safe stand on the respective performance or load point from which the runner can repel directly and without loss of path again. The described swimming effect is avoided.

It is understood that, depending on the structural conditions, the critical deformation, in which the tangential deformability of the inventive Outsole is frozen, so to speak, can attach to the type of deformation. The deformation does not just have to be tangential. A critical deformation can be achieved even with purely vertical or vertical deformation.

According to the invention, the critical deformation is achieved only after a tangential and / or vertical deformation, which is greater than 20% of the deformable thickness of the sole, possibly even greater than 50% of this thickness. Absolutely, that can be quite a few inches.

In terms of design and material technology, the teaching according to the invention can in principle be realized in many different ways. Various examples thereof will be described below with reference to the drawings. As preferred embodiments, only those should be emphasized in which two layers of the sole are separated by a particular elastically deformable element and wherein the deformable element with sufficiently large deformation allows a mutual frictional, force and / or positive contact of the two layers and extensive suppression of a parallel displaceability of the two layers.

In a further development of the invention, the sole may be provided with means for releasable attachment to a midsole of a shoe. If the sole is made in several parts, their individual parts can be attached independently of each other and / or, e.g. when worn, single exchanged. It could also be provided differently shaped parts available and / or individual patterns are generated, which are particularly adapted to the particular needs and the running style of the individual runner.

BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1

einen Sportschuh in Seitenansicht mit einer Laufsohle gemäss einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung und zwar unter a) unbelastet, unter b) schräg nach vorn belastet und unter c) bei Abstossen;

Fig. 2

den Sportschuh von Fig. 1 in Ansicht von hinten und zwar unter a) unbelastet und unter b) seitlich schräg belastet;

Fig. 3

Hohlelemente der Laufsohle von Fig. 1 jeweils in einer Detaildarstellung und zwar unter a) unbelastet, unter b) schräg nach vorn belastet, und unter c) vertikal belastet;

Fig. 4

eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungsgemässen Laufsohle in Seitenansicht mit röhrenförmigen Hohlelementen zwischen zwei Lagen, und zwar unter a) unbelastet und unter b) schräg nach vorn belastet;

Fig. 5

eine Ausführungsform einer in ein Ballenteil und ein Fersenteil unterteilten erfindungsgemässen Laufsohle in Seitenansicht jeweils mit zwei über verformbare Stege verbundenen Lagen, und zwar unter a) unbelastet und unter b) schräg nach vorn belastet;

Fig. 6

eine Laufsohle nach der Erfindung mit einem abschlossenen, mit einem Medium gefüllten Volumen;

Fig. 7

in einer geschnittenen Teildarstellung eine weitere erfindungsgemässe Laufsohle, welche mit einer Verzahnung versehen ist;

Fig. 8

den Sportschuh von Fig. 1, bei welchem gemäss einer Weiterbildung der Erfindung Teile der Laufsohle lösbar an einer Zwischensohle befestigt sind bzw. werden können;

Fig. 9

den Sportschuh von Fig. 8 in Ansicht von hinten unter a) und unter b) mit unterschiedlich vielen, nebeneinander lösbar angebrachten Sohlenteilen;

Fig. 10

ein gegenüber den Hohlelementen von Fig. 3 etwas abgewandeltes Hohlelement für eine Laufsohle nach der Erfindung; und

Fig. 11

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines einzelnen Sohlenelements für eine Laufsohle, die jedoch nicht gegenstand der vorliegenden der Erfindung ist.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments in conjunction with the drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1

a sports shoe in side view with an outsole according to a first embodiment of the invention under a) unloaded, under b) biased obliquely forward and under c) in pushing;

Fig. 2

the sports shoe of Figure 1 in rear view namely under a) unloaded and under b) laterally biased;

Fig. 3

Hollow elements of the outsole of Figure 1 in each case in a detailed illustration and under a) unloaded, under b) biased obliquely forward, and under c) vertically loaded;

Fig. 4

a further embodiment of an inventive outsole in side view with tubular hollow elements between two layers, under a) unloaded and under b) biased obliquely forward;

Fig. 5

an embodiment of an outsole according to the invention divided into a bale part and a heel part in side view, in each case with two layers connected via deformable webs, under a) unloaded and under b) biased obliquely forwards;

Fig. 6

an outsole according to the invention with a closed, filled with a medium volume;

Fig. 7

in a sectional partial view, another inventive outsole, which is provided with a toothing;

Fig. 8

the sports shoe of Figure 1, in which according to an embodiment of the invention, parts of the outsole are releasably secured to a midsole or can be;

Fig. 9

the sports shoe of Figure 8 in view from behind a) and b) with different numbers, side by side releasably mounted sole parts.

Fig. 10

a comparison with the hollow elements of Figure 3 slightly modified hollow element for an outsole according to the invention; and

Fig. 11

another embodiment of a sole sole element for an outsole, which is not the subject of the present invention.

WAYS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

An embodiment will first be described with reference to FIG. 1 which, although not necessarily the preferred one, on the basis of which the inventive teaching is well represented.

1 shows a running shoe 2 equipped with an outsole 1 according to the invention. The outsole 1 is formed by a plurality of profile-like hollow elements 3, which have tubes 3.1 and with integrally formed webs 3.2 on the underside of a midsole 4 of the running shoe 1, e.g. are attached by gluing. The hollow elements 3 are made of a material such as a rubber material, which can deform at least partially elastically under the loads occurring during running. The material preferably also has a high static friction compared with other materials, but above all also with respect to itself. Several of the hollow elements 3 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the running shoe 2, a gap being left in the area between the bale and the heel. The hollow elements 3 may extend over the entire respective width of the running shoe 2. However, it could also, as shown in Fig. 2, two or even more such hollow elements 3 are arranged side by side.

If the running shoe 2 as shown in Fig. 1 b) and illustrated by the loading arrow P1 example when loaded obliquely forward, it comes after initial elastic cushioning of the load under vertical but also horizontal deformation of the tubular parts 3.1 with appropriate design of these parts a complete compression of the same and thereby a frictional engagement between the upper half-shell 3.1.1 and the lower half-shell 3.1.2 (see ig. 3). The frictional engagement sets such a high resistance to further horizontal deformation of the tubes 3.1 that they are practically only possible within the framework of the remaining elasticity of the material and thus to no appreciable extent. The runner has in this position and in this state of the outsole 1 therefore a horizontal practically no longer sliding connection to the ground 5 and thus has a good and safe stand.

In addition, the runner, as shown in Fig. 1 under c), from the position shown in FIG. 2 for the execution of the next step, but above all repel again, without having to take a loss of path into account, because of the described Reibschlusses the tubular parts 3.1 in a significant extent in the direction of the new in repulsion, indicated by the arrow P2 load horizontally practically can not deform. The prerequisite here is, of course, that between the occurrence and the repulsion, the burden on the defomierten area of the sole is upright, which is the case during normal running but.

Fig. 2 shows the running shoe 2 of Fig. 1 in rear view, under a) unloaded and under b) laterally biased. Here, too, there may be a compression of the tubular parts 3.1 of the hollow elements 3 to produce a frictional connection between the upper 3.1.1 and lower half shell 3.1.2, whereby the wearer of the running shoe 2 also gets a stable and practically unyielding connection to the bottom 5 laterally ,

The above-described embodiment is characterized by extremely large deformation paths, which between the unloaded state according to FIG. 1 a) and the state with the frictional connection according to FIG. 1b) may well be more than 20%, possibly even more than 50%. With the shoe of Fig. 1 and 2, the runner floats "as on clouds", but at no time has an unsteady feeling and in the respective performance area always a direct, solid and thus secure connection to the ground.

Fig. 3 shows in a detailed representation again the hollow elements 3 of Fig. 1 and that under a) unloaded and under b) tangentially loaded. Under c) a deformation is shown vertically straight down, from which it is clear that the above-mentioned advantages in terms of stability and repulsion are achieved without loss of travel even under purely vertical load.

In the outsole 6 of Fig. 4 are again tubular hollow elements 6.1, e.g. provided from a rubber material, but here between an upper 6.2 and a lower layer 6.3 are arranged and firmly connected to these layers. The two layers 6.2 and 6.3 extend here over the entire surface of the outsole. The upper layer 6.2 could basically be formed by an existing anyway position or liner of the shoe. The lower layer 6.3 could also be provided with a profile. Functionally, the outsole 6 of Fig. 4, which is shown under a) in the unloaded state, basically similar to the previously described outsole 1 of Fig. 2. In particular, as shown in Fig. 4 under b), in Compress the tubular hollow elements 6.1 come frictional engagement between the upper and lower half of the shell come about. Over the thrust action exerted by the lower layer 6.3, the deformation of the hollow elements 6.1 will possibly be spread over a larger area under load.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5, two separate parts 7.1 and 7.2 for the bale and the heel region of the outsole 7 are initially provided. In principle, this separate training could also be used in the other illustrated examples. Furthermore, only one elastically deformable webs 7.1.3 or 7.2.3 are arranged here between each of an upper layer 7.1.1 or 7.2.1 and a lower layer 7.2.1 or 7.2.2. Under load, these settle e.g. flat between the two outer layers, as shown for example in Fig. 5 under b). If a material with a high coefficient of friction is used again for the outer layers and the webs, a frictional connection similar to that already described results in the situation illustrated in FIG. 5 b). The upper and lower layers thus take over partially the function of the above-described upper and lower half-shells of the tubular parts of Fig. 1, whereas the webs can be functionally equated approximately with the flanks of the tubular parts, of which two opposite in Fig. 3 with 3.1 .3 and 3.1.4 are designated.

In the outsole 8 of Fig. 6, no physical elastic elements are provided between each of an upper 8.1 and a lower layer 8.2. Rather, the upper and lower layers are by surrounding side parts 8.3 to a closed Volume 8.4 connected, which is filled with a fluid. The fluid may be a gas, such as air, but may also be a gel, for example. It is important that the outsole, as shown again under b), can be deformed so far under running loads that the upper and the lower layer 8.1 and 8.2 can touch each other in the respective load range. If a material with a high coefficient of friction is selected for the two layers, a frictional connection with the described advantageous properties results again.

When using an intrinsically incompressible gel as filling material for the volume 8.4, it may need to be elastically whole or partially expandable so that the desired effect can occur. In the case of filling the volume 8.4 with a gas, in addition, e.g. in the heel area, even a valve 8.5 may be provided. By changing the gas pressure, it would then be possible to change the elastic properties and the compliance of the outsole and thereby, e.g. adapt to the weight or running behavior of the runner.

Instead of frictional engagement, in the above-described examples, or in addition, as shown in a partial illustration of an outsole 9 in Fig. 7, use could be made of a form fit by interposing between upper and lower layers 9.1 and 9.2 e.g. a kind of toothing is provided.

According to a development of the invention, the sole can be provided with means which allow its releasable attachment to a midsole of the shoe. The sole can hereby be fastened detachably as a whole, in parts or only with respect to individual parts. Fig. 8 shows a running shoe 2, in which the entire sole 1, but in individual parts, releasably secured to a midsole 4 of the running shoe 2. The sole 1 is formed here as in the example of FIG. 1 by a plurality of profile-like hollow elements 3, which tubes 3.1 and releasably secured with integrally formed webs 3.2 on the underside of the midsole 4 or with respect to the arranged in the ball area hollow elements only to releasable Attachment to the underside of the midsole 4 are provided. As can be seen clearly from the enlargement of section A in FIG. 8, a multiple producible and releasable so-called hook and loop fastener 10 is used as fastening means, the webs 3.2 of the hollow elements 3 having the hook-shaped form trained position 10.1 of the hook and loop fastener 10 are provided. Accordingly, the midsole 4, preferably over the entire surface, with the complementary, ie the loop-shaped layer 10.2 of the hook and loop fastener 10 is provided. The two layers of the hook and loop fastener can be firmly glued to the hollow elements on the one hand and the midsole on the other.

The detachable fastening initially has the advantage that the sole according to the invention may only be attached as needed, e.g. attached directly before and to a training run on the midsole and the shoe can be used otherwise without this sole. This makes sense especially when the sole according to the invention is used to obtain long spring travel, e.g. is seen with relatively bulky hollow elements. To protect the midsole and preferably attached to her loop position of a hook and loop fastener could also be provided by Velcro alternatively applicable protective layer in this case, which is not shown here.

The detachable attachment on the other hand has the advantage that a worn sole can be replaced with a new one. In the case of a multi-part construction of the sole as in the example of FIG. 8, only individual parts could be exchanged, whereby e.g. the uneven wear of the sole due to the individual running style of each runner could be accommodated. Each runner could in this case but also e.g. to assemble his own sole with the optimal damping properties for him by a special arrangement of the individual parts. 9 shows the running shoe of FIG. 8 in two views from the rear, where a) two and b) three rows of hollow elements 3 are arranged next to one another in the heel area. For an individual design of the sole according to the invention, however, differently shaped parts with different properties could also be made available to the manufacturer. As an example of this, Fig. 8 shows a hollow element 3 'arranged in the main load area of the sole, which is provided with a greater wall thickness and is therefore characterized, for example, by slightly stiffer to deformation than the other hollow elements.

Fig. 10 also shows a comparison with the hollow elements of Fig. 3 slightly modified hollow element 3 "for an outsole according to the invention, this In addition, the wall thickness of the element is not formed the same everywhere.It has been shown that with the illustrated shape, an even better feeling and improved repellency from the point of occurrence can be achieved.

Fig. 11 finally shows yet another embodiment of a sole sole element 11 for an outsole according to the invention, which has a vertically aligned tube instead of a horizontal one.

The above-described embodiments are to be understood that individual ones of their elements or features may possibly also be used in combination with others of the embodiments. This applies, for example, for the division of the outsole in a bale and a Ferstenteil and the provision of a profile. Equally, frictionally engaging and positively locking means could be used alternatively or in combination with each other. The embodiments of Fig. 4 or 5 could be combined with that of Fig. 6, in which, in the embodiments of Fig. 4 or 5, an elastic and / or damping medium or fluid is introduced into naturally preferred cavities. Conversely, in Fig. 6, additional mechanical suspension or damping elements could be provided. In the development of the invention, in which the sole according to the invention as a whole or at least parts thereof can be releasably attached to a midsole, instead of a hook and loop fastener with a hook-shaped layer and a loop-shaped or felt-like position, a hook and loop fastener with two hook-shaped layers adapted to each other could be shipped be, with such a hook and loop fastener has a higher adhesive force. The releasable connection could alternatively or additionally be made with a special, removable adhesive.

NAME LIST

1

outsole

2

running Shoe

3, 3 ', 3 "

hollow elements

3.1

Tubes of the hollow elements 3

3.2

Webs of the hollow elements 3rd

3.1.1

upper half shell of the tubes 3.1

3.1.2

under half-shell of the tubes 3.1

3.1.3, 3.1.4

Flanks of the tubes 3.1

4

midsole

5

ground

6

outsole

6.1

tubular hollow elements of the outsole 6

6.2

upper layer of the barrel 6

6.3

lower layer of the outsole 6

7

outsole

7.1

Bale part of the outsole 7

7.2

Heel parts of the outsole 7

7.1.1, 7.2.1

upper layer of outsole parts 7.1 and 7.2

7.1.2, 7.2.2

under position of the outsole parts 7.1 bze. 7.2

7.1.3, 7.2.3

deformable webs

8th

outsole

8.1

upper layer of the outsole 8

8.2

lower layer of the outsole 8

8.3

circumferential side parts of the outsole 8

8.4

Volume of the outsole 8

8.5

Valve on the outsole 8

9

outsole

9.1

Upper layer of the outsole 9

9.2

under position of the outsole 9

10

velcro fastener

10.1

Hook-shaped position of the hook and loop fastener 10

10.2

loop-shaped position of the Velcro fastener 10

11

Sole element with vertical tube

P1

Arrow strain on appearance

P2

Arrow load when pushing off

Claims (14)

1. An outsole (1), in particular for sports shoes, comprising an elastic deformability also in tangential direction so that a sufficient cushioning effect is achieved even if the tread of the foot is inclined and somewhat slipping, wherein the outsole encompasses two layers (3.1.1, 3.1.2; 7.1.1, 7.1.2; 7.2.1, 7.2.2; 8.1., 8.2; 9.1, 9.2), which are separated by means of at least one in particular elastically deformable element (3.1.3, 3.1.4; 7.1.3, 7.2.3), wherein the element, in response to reaching a critical deformation, which is greater than 20% of the deformable thickness of the sole, enables a mutual frictionally engaged, non-positive and/or positive contact of the two layers and a prevention of a parallel displaceability of the two layers so that a secure footing on the region, which is deformed to such an extent, is given.
2. The outsole according to claim 1, characterized in that the critical deformation is reached only after a tangential and/or vertical deformation path, which is greater than 20% of its deformable thickness, in particular even greater than 50% of this thickness, is reached.
3. The outsole according to one of claims 1-2, characterized in that it is provided with at least one elastically deformable hollow element comprising one or a plurality of cavities.
4. The outsole according to claim 3, characterized in that the hollow element comprises a deformable tubular section.
5. The outsole according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a plurality of hollow elements are arranged in series in the longitudinal direction of the outsole.
6. The outsole according to claim 3, characterized in that the hollow element encompasses two outer layers, which are connected with one another by formation of a plurality of cavities by means of deformable bars.
7. The outsole according to claim 3, characterized in that the hollow element encompasses at least one chamber, which is filled with a fluid.
8. The outsole according to claim 7, characterized in that the hollow element encompasses at least one air-filled chamber, which is elastically deformable under compression of the air contained therein.
9. The outsole according to claim 8, characterized in that the air-filled chamber can be filled with a pressure, which is increased as compared to the ambient pressure.
10. The outsole according to one of claims 1-9, characterized in that provision is made for the outsole to be provided with means (10.1) for being fastened to an intermediate sole (4) of a shoe (2) so as to be capable of being removed, as a whole, or, if designed to be made up of several parts, with reference to at least one of its parts (3, 3').
11. The outsole according to claim 10, characterized in that it is designed so as to be made up of several parts and in that the individual parts (3, 3') can be selectively attached to the intermediate sole (4) at different locations and/or in different patterns so as to be capable of being removed.
12. The outsole according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that it is designed so as to be made up of several parts and in that at least two of its parts (3, 3') encompass a different shape and/or elasticity.
13. The outsole according to one of claims 10-12, characterized in that the means for detachably fastening comprise a part (10.1) of a hook and loop connection (10) and in that the intermediate sole (4) is provided with the complementary part (10.2) of this hook and loop connection (10).
14. The outsole according to claim 13, characterized in that the means comprise a part (10.1) of the hook and loop connection (10), which is provided with clasps.

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