EP4076083B1

EP4076083B1 - Shoe structure

Info

Publication number: EP4076083B1
Application number: EP20821011.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mario Polegato Moretti; Livio POLONI; Gianni BURATTO; Ivano BARBIERO; Massimo ZILIO
Original assignee: Geox SpA
Current assignee: Geox SpA
Priority date: 2019-12-16
Filing date: 2020-12-11
Publication date: 2024-02-21
Anticipated expiration: 2040-12-11
Also published as: US20230013126A1; CN114786519A; IT201900024033A1; WO2021122395A1; EP4076083A1

Description

The present invention relates to a shoe structure.
A shoe, in order to ensure adequate comfort to the user, must have various characteristics, including flexibility and impact absorption ability.
The term "flexibility", in the present description, is understood to refer to the ability of the shoe to follow some deformations of the foot, such as for example the deformation of the foot during the rolling phase thereof.
The term "rolling" in the present description is understood to refer to the action with which the foot progressively touches the ground from the heel to the toe.
The expression "impact absorption ability" in the present description is understood to refer to the ability to reduce the stresses transmitted to the foot in order to reduce fatigue and the risk of lesions that can derive from the impact of the foot with the ground and/or with other objects, or in general from external forces acting on the foot of a user.
EP 1956932 B1 , for example, contains the teachings for providing a shoe which comprises:

an upper,
a sole, comprising a resilient element which can be deformed according to the shape of the foot of the user,
a layer which surrounds at least partly a portion of the external surface of the resilient element.

The term "resilient", in the description of this document, is understood to refer to the ability of the material in question to absorb elastic deformation energy following an impact.
The upper end of the sole is bonded with adhesive to the lower end of the upper.
US5083385 and US4267650 , respectively, disclose a shoe with features of the preamble of claim 1.
These background art documents have some drawbacks.
First of all, such shoes require a certain precision in calibrating the hardness:

of the resilient material (by choosing the most appropriate one)
of the surrounding layer,

unstable, due to the shearing component of the stresses that act on it,
or excessively rigid and therefore uncomfortable.

Furthermore, the surrounding element has a mechanical resistance to the action of the weight of the user that gradually decreases over time, due to the effect of repeated stresses, with the risk of collapse of the sole under the weight of the user.
The aim of the present invention is to provide a shoe structure that is capable of improving the background art in one or more of the aspects indicated above.
Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a shoe structure that allows high comfort to a user.
Another object of the invention is to provide a shoe structure that is capable of absorbing impacts effectively.
A further object of the invention is to provide a shoe structure that ensures stability to a user.
Another object of the invention is to provide a shoe structure that is lighter and more flexible than similar shoe structures of the known type.
A further object of the invention is to provide a new shoe structure by using known technologies.
A further object of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the background art in a manner that is alternative to any existing solutions.
Another object of the invention is to provide a shoe structure that is highly reliable, relatively easy to provide and has competitive costs.
This aim, as well as these and other objects which will become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a shoe structure according to appended claim 1.
Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the description of some preferred but not exclusive embodiments of the shoe structure according to the invention, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a partially sectional view of a shoe structure according to the invention in a first embodiment thereof;
Figure 1a is a top view of a first embodiment of a part of the shoe structure according to the invention;
Figure 1b is a bottom view of the part of Figure 1a;
Figure 1c is another bottom view of the part of Figure 1a;
Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view, taken along the sectional plane II-II, of a portion of the part of Figure 1a;
Figure 3a is a transverse sectional view, taken along the sectional plane III-III, of a portion of the part of Figure 1a;
Figure 3b is a view of a first variation of the portion of Figure 3a;
Figure 3c is a view of a second variation of the portion of Figure 3a;
Figure 4 is a top view of a part of a shoe structure according to the invention in a first embodiment thereof;
Figure 4a is a sectional view of the part of Figure 4;
Figure 5 is a top view of a part of a shoe structure according to the invention in a second embodiment thereof;
Figure 5a is a sectional view of the part of Figure 5;
Figure 6 is an exploded view of a part of a shoe structure according to the invention in a third embodiment thereof;
Figure 7 is a view of the part of Figure 6, taken along the sectional plane VII-VII;
Figure 8 is a view of the part of Figure 6, taken along the sectional plane VII-VII;
Figure 9 is a side view of a part of a shoe structure according to the invention in a fourth embodiment thereof;
Figure 10 is a top view of a second embodiment of the part of Figure 1a.

With reference to the figures, a shoe structure according to the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 1.
The shoe structure 1 comprises an upper assembly 2, which comprises:

an upper 3, preferably made of breathable material,
a lining 4, preferably made of breathable material,
an insole 5.

The lower edges of the lining 4 and of the upper 3 are joined to the insole 5 according to methods known per se.
The shoe structure 1 comprises a bottom 6.
The bottom 6 is joined in a lower region to the insole 5 and comprises:

a sole 10, composed of a tread 11 and a lateral element 12,
a midsole 13, interposed between the sole 10 and the upper assembly 2.

In particular, the lateral element 12 of the sole 10 surrounds the midsole 13.
In some embodiments, the tread 11 is provided monolithically with the lateral element 12, for example when both are constituted by the same polymeric material and have substantially the same hardness.
In other embodiments, the tread 11 and the lateral element 12 are provided as separate parts.
Such insole 5 is constituted preferably by a breathable and/or perforated material in order to facilitate, if the sole 10 also is breathable, the passage of sweat in the vapor phase toward the outside of the shoe structure 1 through the sole 10.
More preferably, the insole 5 comprises:

a first layer 14 made of fabric, which is advantageously three-dimensional and is suitable to form, below the foot of the user, an interspace for facilitating ventilation and removal of the sweat in the vapor phase from the foot,
a second layer 15 made of breathable material, which is superimposed on the first layer 14 and is made for example of nonwoven fabric, preferably softer than the layer 14 and therefore capable of ensuring better comfort in contact with the foot of the user.

The expression "three-dimensional fabric", in the present description, is understood to refer to a single fabric the component fibers of which are arranged in a mutually perpendicular planar relationship.
In terms of the production process, in a weave of the 3D type, the sets of fibers X and Y are woven in with the rows and columns of the axial fibers Z.
The expression "sets of fibers X and Y" is understood to refer to the horizontal and vertical weft sets, respectively.
The expression "fibers Z" is understood to refer to the multilayer warp set.
It is possible to obtain three-dimensional fabrics also with weaving processes of the two-dimensional type.
The three-dimensional fabric can also be obtained by knitting on flat or circular knitting machines.
Preferably, the second layer 15 extends exclusively within the forefoot.
In this case, the extension of the second layer 15 varies between approximately one third and approximately half of the contact surface of the insole 5 with the foot of the user, i.e., is limited in the region in which there is the need to have a softer material in contact with the foot.
The shoe structure 1 advantageously comprises a removable insole 7, which is arranged within the upper assembly 2 and is substantially interposed between the foot of the user and the insole 5.
The upper surface of the removable insole 7, to be directed toward the foot of the user, has a preferably anatomically contoured shape, i.e., it substantially reproduces the shape of the lower surface of the foot.
The removable insole 7 is preferably but not exclusively made of polymeric material capable of absorbing the impacts and stresses that are transmitted to the foot of a user, for example polyurethane (PU) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), with a hardness comprised preferably between 20 and 80 Asker C, more preferably between 30 and 60 Asker C.
Preferably, the insole 5 is joined to the lower edges of the lining 4 and of the upper 3 by means of a stitched seam 8, for example a Strobel stitched seam, which assuredly gives the shoe structure 1 more flexibility than the so-called AGO method, in which the lower edges of the lining and of the upper are folded and glued below the insole.
In an alternative embodiment, not shown in the figures, again in order to assuredly give the shoe high flexibility, it is possible to use the loafer structure, in which the vamp surrounds the foot in a downward region as well.
The term "vamp" in the present description is understood to refer to the front portion of the upper that covers the toe and the front part of foot.
The following elements are present in the midsole 13:

one or more through holes 20, which pass through its entire thickness,
one or more blind holes 30, which are extended along only part of the thickness of the midsole 13 and lead out toward the tread 11.

The through holes 20 and the blind holes 30 make it possible to lighten and increase the flexibility of the midsole 13 and accordingly of the bottom 6 and of the shoe structure 1.
Such through holes 20 and such blind holes 30 are distributed on the midsole 13 according to a preset pattern which follows the anatomy of the foot in a different manner according to the embodiment considered.
In this regard, it should be noted that the midsole 13 can be divided ideally into three portions delimited by a first imaginary line 18' and by a second imaginary line 18", as shown in Figure 1.
More precisely, it is possible to distinguish the following in the midsole 13:

a front portion 13a, which is understood as a portion of the midsole 13 that substantially corresponds to the forefoot resting region,
a middle portion 13b, which is understood as a portion of the midsole 13 that substantially corresponds to the midfoot resting region,
a rear portion 13c, which is understood as a portion of the midsole 13 that substantially corresponds to the hindfoot resting region.

The front portion 13a, the middle portion 13b and the rear portion 13c are each extended along approximately one third of the entire length of the midsole 13.
In turn, the middle portion 13b can be ideally divided along a third imaginary line 18‴, which allows the distinguishing of:

an internal middle portion 13b', which is understood as a portion of the midsole 13 that substantially corresponds to the resting region of the internal, or medial, part of the midfoot,
an external middle portion 13b", which is understood as a portion of the midsole 13 that substantially corresponds to the resting region of the external, or lateral, part of the midfoot.

The internal middle portion 13b' and the external middle portion 13b" have substantially the same area.
This having been said, as shown in Figure 1, in this first embodiment there are through holes 20 at the front portion 13a and at the internal middle portion 13b', i.e., they affect substantially the forefoot and the medial part of the midfoot, while blind holes 30 are arranged at the rear portion 13c and at the external middle portion 13b", i.e., they affect substantially the hindfoot and the lateral part of the midfoot.
In Figure 1, both the through holes 20 and the blind holes 30 have a substantially cylindrical shape.
However, it is evident to the person skilled in the art that the shape and direction of extension of these holes might be more than one.
Depending on the needs and the technical requirements, in fact, the through holes 20 may have a constant or substantially constant cross-section along the entire thickness of the midsole 13, as shown in Figure 3c, or may comprise a first portion 22 with reduced cross-section which has a substantially circular section 22a arranged proximately to the upper surface 16 and a second portion 23 with constant or substantially constant cross-section having a substantially circular section 23a and a larger diameter than the section 22a of the first portion 22, which is defined proximally to the lower surface 17, as shown in Figure 3b.
As an alternative, the through holes 20 may have a substantially frustum-like shape, as shown in Figure 3a, having an upper section 20' which is substantially circular and has a smaller diameter at the upper surface 16, and a lower section 20", which is substantially circular and has a larger diameter, proximately to the lower surface 17.
Embodiments such as the ones shown in Figures 3b and 3c are particularly advantageous for example in shoes that use particularly thin bottoms 6, since they make it possible to reduce the risk that the user might have a broken-through feeling and therefore feel reduced comfort.
Furthermore, these embodiments, in which the through holes 20 have cross-section reductions, are particularly advantageous also because the reduction in cross-section helps to locally accelerate the airflow, further improving, at the same time, the ventilation proximate to the upper surface 16 of the midsole 13.
In the specific case, the diameter of the portion with substantially constant cross-section 21, 23 is preferably comprised between approximately 5 mm and approximately 18 mm, while the diameter of the portion with reduced cross-section 22 is preferably comprised between approximately 2 mm and approximately 18 mm, with thicknesses of the portion with reduced cross-section 22 that vary preferably between approximately 2 mm and approximately 4 mm.
In the case of a substantially frustum-like shape, shown in Figure 3a, the upper section 20' has a diameter preferably comprised between approximately 2 mm and approximately 4 mm, while the lower section 20" has a diameter preferably comprised between approximately 4 mm and approximately 18 mm.
The blind holes 30 instead have a predominantly constant cross-section, as shown in Figure 2, and their diameter varies preferably between approximately 5 mm and approximately 18 mm; they are separated from the upper surface 16 by means of a wall 31 with a thickness preferably comprised between approximately 2 mm and approximately 4 mm.
The bottom 6 can comprise one or more ducts 40, which connect one or more through holes 20 and one or more blind holes 30, so as to create, during walking, a substantially continuous flow of air from the hindfoot toward the forefoot.
Such ducts 40 are constituted by channels provided in the midsole 13, which are open at the lower surface 17, toward the tread 11, which closes them in a downward region.
This solution is particularly advantageous, since it allows reducing to a minimum the discontinuities on the upper surface 16 of the midsole 13, ensuring an adequate support of the insole 5.
Furthermore, the ducts 40 make it possible to lighten and render more flexible the midsole 13 and consequently the bottom 6 and the shoe structure 1.
Moreover, the set of through holes 20, blind holes 30 and ducts 40 promotes the circulation of air inside the shoe structure 1, further increasing the comfort perceived by the user.
The ducts 40 preferably have a semi-cylindrical shape and their diameter is preferably comprised between approximately 3 mm and approximately 10 mm.
According to a preferred embodiment, which is alternative to the preceding one, not shown in the figures, the ducts 40 have a quadrangular cross-section the shorter and longer sides of which measure respectively from approximately 1 mm to approximately 3 mm and from approximately 3 mm to approximately 6 mm.
During the gait, the weight of the user acts first on the rear portion 13c which is provided substantially exclusively with blind holes 30, and while the gait action continues it shifts toward the middle portion 13b and toward the front portion 13a, where the through holes 20 are located.
In practice, a compression of the air contained in the blind holes 30 is provided which, under the thrust of the foot, is conveyed in the direction of the forefoot by means of the ducts 40.
In view of the characteristics of the blind holes 30, there is substantially no outflow of air at the resting region of the hindfoot, and therefore the pressure losses of the airflow pushed by the hindfoot toward the forefoot are substantially negligible.
When the air reaches the front portion 13a and the internal middle portion 13b', it can rise, through the through holes 20, toward the upper surface 16 of the midsole 13, where the forefoot and the internal midfoot, i.e., the areas of the foot that are richest in sweat glands and are therefore most subject to sweating are located, rest.
Since at the rear portion 13c and at the external middle portion 13b" the air cannot exit through the blind holes 30, except to a negligible extent, in these regions it is possible to provide multiple ducts 40 which branch from, or converge into, a single blind hole 30, with respect to what is instead provided in the front portion 13a and in the internal middle portion 13b' for the through holes 20.
This solution allows a better distribution of the air, avoiding local increases in pressure which might cause unsightly bulges and cause a feeling of reduced comfort and/or of instability during the gait.
As shown in Figure 1c, part of the ducts 40 is extended substantially from the external middle portion 13b" toward the front portion 13a, along a predominant direction of extension 19 that is substantially oriented from the resting region of the lateral side of the foot toward the resting region of the medial side of the foot, following in practice the second and third phase of the natural gait of the foot.
In this regard one should consider that in the walking subject substantially three phases occur in sequence in the resting of the foot:

a first phase, also known as taligrade phase, in which contact of the ground with the rear heel occurs;
a second phase, also known as plantigrade phase, which corresponds to classic resting on the rear and front heel and on the lateral margin of the foot;
a third phase, also known as digitigrade phase, of resting only on the front heel, with progressive release of the resting on the metatarsal heads from the outside to the inside.

The distribution of the ducts 40 along the predominant direction of extension 19 is therefore particularly advantageous, since it facilitates the outflow of the air contained therein through the through holes 20 in a gradual manner, following the natural gait of the foot.
Otherwise, local accumulations of air might be produced, with consequent local increases in pressure which might cause unsightly bulges and cause a reduction in comfort and/or instability during the gait.
In this first embodiment, shown in Figures 1 to 1c, all the through holes 20 and the blind holes 30 are connected by the ducts 40.
However, in embodiments not shown one or more through holes 20 and/or one or more blind holes 30 might be isolated, i.e., not communicating with adjacent holes through the channels 40.
This may be done, for example, to simplify the construction of the molds with which to provide the midsole 13 while still ensuring adequate comfort.
In such cases, at least approximately 60% of the through holes 20 and of the blind holes 30 might be connected by the ducts 40.
As an alternative, at least approximately 70% of the through holes 20 and of the blind holes 30 can be connected by the ducts 40.
As an alternative, at least approximately 80% of the through holes 20 and of the blind holes 30 can be connected by the ducts 40.
As an alternative, at least approximately 90% of the through holes 20 and of the blind holes 30 can be connected by the ducts 40.
Preferably, the sole 10 is made of polymeric material, such as for example PU or TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and has a hardness comprised between approximately 60 and approximately 90 Shore A and/or a density comprised between approximately 0.9 and approximately 1.3 g/cm³.
The midsole 13 also is made of polymeric material such as for example PU or EVA and has a hardness comprised between approximately 30 and approximately 80 Asker C and/or a density comprised between approximately 0.2 and approximately 0.6 g/cm³.
It is possible to provide the shoe structure 1 with a midsole 13 that has different hardnesses and/or densities in the various regions, depending on the needs and on the technical requirements.
In particular, it is possible to provide greater hardness and/or density at the portions in which the blind holes 30 are provided and a lower hardness and/or density at the portions in which the through holes 20 are provided.
For example, in a preferred embodiment, the midsole 13 has a hardness:

comprised between approximately 60 and approximately 80 Asker C at the portions in which the blind holes 30 are provided,
comprised between approximately 30 and approximately 50 Asker C at the portions in which the through holes 20 are provided.

In a possible second embodiment thereof, shown in Figure 10, the midsole is designated by the reference numeral 113.
In the midsole 113, the elements that substantially correspond to elements of the first embodiment have been designated by the same reference numerals increased by 100.
In said midsole 113, a first imaginary line 118' and a second imaginary line 118" ideally delimit:

a tip portion 113a, understood as a portion of the midsole 113 that substantially corresponds to the resting region of the tip of the foot,
an internal central portion 113b, understood as a portion of the midsole 113 that substantially corresponds to the resting region of the internal plantar arch of the foot,
a complementary portion 113c, understood as the remaining part of the midsole 113.

In this second embodiment, the through holes 120 are provided in the tip portion 113a and in the internal central portion 113b, while the blind holes 130 are provided in the complementary portion 113c.
The tip portion 113a and the internal central portion 113b can be present simultaneously or just one of the two can be present.
These embodiments are advantageous since they make it possible to maximize ventilation in one or more of said portions at which the applied load due to the weight of the user is smaller.
As is known, in fact, the foot mainly rests on the heel, at the calcanear region, and along the external plantar arch up to the head of the fifth metatarsal bone, and therefore the tip portion 113a and the internal central portion 113b remain less loaded and therefore particularly suitable to maximize ventilation.
The bottom 6, shown in Figure 1, is joined to the upper assembly 2 at the midsole 13, while the lateral element 12 is not bonded with adhesive directly to the upper assembly 2.
This solution is advantageous, since in contact with the upper assembly 2, constituted generally by soft materials capable of giving comfort to the foot, there is the softer material that constitutes the midsole 13 instead of the more rigid material that constitutes the lateral element 12.
The smaller difference in hardness between the upper assembly 2 and the midsole 13 with respect to the difference between the upper assembly 2 and the lateral element 12 facilitates adaptation to the movements and to the shape of the foot of the user at the joint between the upper assembly 2 and the bottom 6.
In other embodiments, such as for example the one shown in Figures 6 to 8, the lateral element 12 substantially covers the entire lateral surface of the midsole 13.
This solution is advantageous, since it limits and/or prevents direct contact of the midsole 13 with external agents, such as for example dust and water, which might cause deterioration thereof.
Furthermore, this solution prevents any wrinkles that might form on the external surface of the midsole 13 from being exposed to the direct action of the external agents, with consequent deterioration and/or spoiling of the aesthetic appearance of the midsole 13.
In this case also, the lateral element 12 can be advantageously provided monolithically with the tread 11.
In another embodiment, shown in Figure 9, the lateral element 12 comprises one or more windows 70 which allow the midsole 13 to face the outside environment.
In this manner the user can feel the softness of the midsole 13 by touching it with his hand.
Furthermore, the windows 70 limit the stiffening of the bottom 6, caused by the lateral element 12, which might cause in some cases a lesser perception of comfort by the user.
In practice it is possible to vary the configuration of the lateral element 12 so that it covers entirely or partly the lateral surface of the midsole 13, in particular by arranging the windows 70 in the most appropriate positions.
For example, as shown in Figure 9,

a first window 70 is arranged at the hindfoot so as to provide maximum shock absorption in the initial phase of the resting of the foot on the ground,
the lateral element 12 covers substantially completely the lateral surface of the midsole 13 at the midfoot, providing support to the foot of the user and avoiding an unpleasant feeling of instability,
a second window 70 is arranged at the forefoot so as to provide maximum shock absorption in the final phase of the resting of the foot on the ground.

Figures 4 and 4a show respectively a top view and a sectional view of a possible embodiment of the bottom 6 which has one or more tabs 60 which are monolithic with the sole 10 and are directed toward the midsole 13.
In this embodiment, the tabs 60 corresponds to supporting posts.
Therefore, the hardness of the tabs 60 is substantially equal to that of the sole 10, i.e., greater than the hardness of the midsole 13.
The tabs 60 are advantageous since they limit the lateral movement of the midsole 13 caused by the shearing component of the load that bears on said midsole.
Furthermore, the tabs 60 limit the overall lowering of the bottom 6, constituted by the midsole 13 and by the sole 10, which is subjected to the action of a vertical load.
This leads to greater stability and greater comfort perceived by the user.
Figures 5 and 5a show respectively a top view and a sectional view of a possible variation of the bottom 6, shown in Figures 4 and 4a.
In this constructive variation, each tab 60 is joined to the internal lateral wall of the lateral element 12, i.e., the lateral wall that is directed toward the midsole 13, by a first crossmember 61, which is also provided monolithically with the sole 10.
The first crossmember 61 is advantageous, since it keeps the lateral element 12 joined to the tab 60, preventing an excessive spacing thereof, which is a possible cause of separation between the lateral element 12 and the midsole 13 in high load conditions.
The first crossmember 61 constitutes, together with the tab 60, a branch of the lateral element 12 which penetrates the midsole 13, making the coupling between the latter and the lateral element 12 more solid and durable even in the presence of numerous loading and unloading cycles.
In this manner the lateral movement of the lateral element 12, which is subjected to the thrust of the midsole 13 on which the weight of a user bears, is limited.
It is furthermore possible to mutually connect the tabs 60, or part thereof, by means of one or more second crossmembers 62, also provided monolithically with the sole 10, in order to provide additional support to the lateral element 12, for example when the hardness of the material that constitutes the midsole 13 is much lower than the hardness of the material that constitutes the sole 10.
The second crossmembers 62 allow the tabs 60 to recover the initial position, i.e., the one assumed when loads are not applied, once the applied load decreases or ceases completely.
It is furthermore possible to arrange the tabs 60 and the first crossmembers 61 in the most suitable places depending on the use of the shoe structure 1.
For example, it is possible to arrange the tabs 60 and the first crossmembers 61 along the perimeter of the sole 10, leaving free an area around the tip of the foot and the internal region of the midfoot.
The tabs 60 preferably have a cylindrical or frustum-like shape and a diameter, at the point closest to the upper surface 16 of the midsole 13, preferably comprised between approximately 1.5 and approximately 10 mm.
The height of the tabs 60 is determined so that their upper surface is arranged at no less than approximately 2 mm from the upper surface 16 of the midsole 13.
This ensures that even under maximum load conditions the tabs 60 are not perceived by a user who otherwise might feel discomfort and/or pain.
Advantageously, the tabs 60 can have cavities to reduce weight.
The thickness of the first crossmembers 61 and of the second crossmembers 62 is comprised preferably between approximately 1.5 and approximately 4 mm.
The first crossmembers 61 and the second crossmembers 62 have a height extension that is preferably lower than that of the tabs 60.
Preferably, the difference between the height extension of the tabs 60 and that of the first crossmembers 61 and of the second crossmembers 62 is comprised between approximately 1 and approximately 4 mm.
This allows prevents an excessive increase in the weight of the sole 10, since it is constituted by polymeric material that usually has a specific gravity that is greater than that of the polymeric material of which the midsole 13 is constituted.
Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of the bottom 6, which has one or more tabs 60 provided monolithically with the sole 10.
In this embodiment also, the tabs 60 correspond to supporting posts.
Therefore, the hardness of the tabs 60 is substantially equal to that of the sole 10, i.e., greater than the hardness of the midsole 13.
In this embodiment, the tabs 60 are arranged on the surface of the lateral element 12 that is directed toward the midsole 13.
The tabs 60 are advantageous, since they limit the lateral displacement of the midsole 13 caused by the shearing component of the load that bears on the latter.
Furthermore, the tabs 60 limit the overall lowering of the bottom 6 subjected to the action of a vertical load.
This leads to greater stability and greater comfort perceived by the user.
Advantageously, one or more second crossmembers 62 join two consecutive tabs 60 in one or more portions of the lateral element 12, helping to strengthen the lateral element 12 and therefore the sole 10.
In the midsole 13, at the tabs 60 there are one or more cavities 80, each of which is complementary to a corresponding tab 60.
Likewise, in the midsole 13, at the second crossmembers 62, there are one or more cavities 81, each complementary to a corresponding second crossmember 62.
From the constructive standpoint it is possible for example to obtain the sole 10 by means of a first mold and arrange it subsequently in a second mold, pouring inside it thermostable polymeric material such as for example polyurethane (PU), which constitutes the midsole 13.
In practice it has been found that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, providing a shoe structure that allows high comfort to a user.
The invention provides a shoe structure capable of absorbing impacts effectively.
Furthermore, the invention provides a shoe structure that ensures stability to a user.
Moreover, the invention provides a shoe structure that is lighter and more flexible than similar shoe structures of the known type.
Finally, the invention provides a new shoe structure by using known technologies.
In practice, the materials used, as long as they are compatible with the specific use, as well as the contingent shapes and dimensions, may be any according to the requirements and the state of the art.
Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

A shoe structure (1) comprising:
- an upper assembly (2), comprising an upper (3) and an insole (5),

- a bottom (6), joined in a lower region to said upper assembly (2) and comprising a sole (10) and a midsole (13, 113), said sole (10) comprising a tread (11),
wherein said sole (10) comprises one or more tabs (60) monolithic therewith, directed toward said midsole (13, 113) characterized in that in said midsole (13) there are:
- one or more through holes (20, 120),

- and/or one or more blind holes (30, 130), which extend over only part of the thickness of said midsole (13, 113) and lead out toward said tread (11) wherein said bottom (6) comprises one or more ducts (40, 140), said ducts (40, 140) mutually connecting:

- one or more of said through holes (20, 120),

- and/or one or more of said blind holes (30, 130),

- and/or one or more of said through holes (20, 120) to one or more of said blind holes (30, 130).
The shoe structure (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said sole (10) comprises one or more crossmembers (61, 62) that are monolithic therewith.
The shoe structure (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sole (10) comprises a lateral element (12) and each one of said one or more tabs (60) is joined to the internal side wall of said lateral element (12) by a first crossmember (61).
The shoe structure (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that two successive ones of said tabs (60) are connected by a second crossmember (62).
The shoe structure (1) according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that said lateral element (12) comprises one or more windows (70).
The shoe structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said insole (5) is joined to the lower edges of said upper (3) by means of a stitched seam (8).
The shoe structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said insole (5) comprises a first layer (14) made of three-dimensional fabric.
The shoe structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said insole (5) comprises a second layer (15), the extension of said second layer (15) being comprised between approximately one third and approximately half of the contact surface of said insole (5) with a foot of a user.
The shoe structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said one or more through holes (20, 120) have a portion with constant cross-section (21, 23).
The shoe structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a part of said one or more through holes (20, 120) has a portion with reduced cross-section (20', 22a) that is formed proximally to the upper surface (16) of said midsole (13).
The shoe structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said one or more through holes (20) are arranged at a front portion (13a) of said midsole (13) and/or at an internal middle portion (13b') of said midsole (13).
The shoe structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said one or more through holes (120) are arranged at a tip portion (113a) of said midsole (113) and/or at an internal central portion (113b) of said midsole (113).
The shoe structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said one or more blind holes (30) are arranged at a rear portion (13c) of said midsole (13) and/or at an external middle portion (13b") of said midsole (13).
The shoe structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said one or more blind holes (130) are arranged at a complementary portion (113c) of said midsole (113) that is substantially complementary to said tip portion (113a) and/or to said internal central portion (113b).
The shoe structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a part of said ducts (40, 140) has an extension along a predominant direction of extension (19) that is oriented substantially from the resting region of the lateral side of said foot toward the resting region of the medial side of said foot.
The shoe structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sole (10) is made of a material with a hardness comprised between approximately 60 and approximately 90 Shore A and/or a density comprised between approximately 0.9 and approximately 1.3 g/cm³.
The shoe structure (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said midsole (13) is made of a material with a hardness comprised between approximately 30 and approximately 80 Asker C and/or a density comprised between approximately 0.2 and approximately 0.6 g/cm³.