FR2980338A1 - FOOTWEAR ARTICLE COMPRISING A FOOTWEAR AND AT LEAST ONE MODULE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an article of footwear comprising a liner (1) intended to receive the foot of a user, said liner having a plantar area (3) surmounted by a shank (4), said plantar area comprising a heel portion (5). ) and a forefoot part (6), said article further comprising an assembly comprising at least one module (8) and a reversible association device of said module below the plantar zone (3) of said liner, the module (8) comprising a bottom (9) on which the bead portion (5) is intended to be arranged, said bottom being arranged to extend below said bead portion leaving free the forefoot part (6) ) when said module is associated with said shoe.

Description

The invention relates to an article of footwear, in particular intended for the practice of a physical activity such as running. A large number of footwear having a stem designed to receive the foot is known, said rod being mounted on a set of soles allowing in particular to ensure a damping of the impacts on the ground. However, as effective as the amortization provided, running footwear induces heel / foot foot impacts that can lead to typical shin / knee injuries and injuries, among others. Running barefoot is recognized as beneficial in terms of stability, but also in terms of cushioning capacity due to impacts spontaneously made on the forefoot, and not on the heel. In particular, the invention aims to provide an article of footwear with which the user can get closer to a more natural race type barefoot with impacts to the front of the foot.

In addition, the article of footwear proposed by the invention has a modularity that can gradually move the user from a standard race with impacts heel / foot flat to a race with impacts to the front of the foot, in order to to limit the risk of premature injuries that may result from too abrupt passage between these two types of race. US Pat. No. 7,591,084 discloses a modular footwear article comprising a footwear for receiving the foot and a number of modules equipped with a reversible association device under said liner.

However, in this embodiment, the module carries the sole of the footwear and does not reduce the heel / foot impacts of the foot.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by providing an article of footwear comprising a boot for receiving the foot of a user, said boot having a plantar area surmounted by a stem, said plantar area comprising a heel portion and a portion forefoot, said article further comprising an assembly comprising at least one module and a reversible association device of said module below the plantar area of said liner, the module comprising a bottom on which the heel portion is intended to be disposed, said bottom being arranged to extend below said bead portion leaving free the forefoot portion when said module is associated with said boot. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which follows, made with reference to the appended figures, in which: FIGS. 1 are diagrammatic representations in perspective of an article of footwear according to an embodiment of the invention; invention, respectively before (Figure 1a) and after (Figure 1b) association of the module slipper; FIGS. 2 are diagrammatic representations in perspective of respectively an alternative embodiment of the reversible association device of the module of FIG. 1; FIGS. 3 are diagrammatic representations in perspective of a module and three inserts of an article of footwear according to another embodiment, respectively before mounting one of the inserts (FIG. 3a), after mounting an insert (FIG. Figure 3b) and after mounting another insert (Figure 3c); FIG. 4 is a schematic representation in perspective of a module and three inserts of an article of footwear according to another embodiment, before mounting one of the inserts; - Figures 5 are schematic representations in perspective of an article of footwear according to another embodiment of the invention, respectively in assembled view (Figure 5a) and exploded view (Figure 5b).

In connection with these figures, an article of footwear comprising a slipper 1 intended to receive the foot of a user is described below. To do this, the liner 1 comprises an upper opening 2 in which a user can slide his foot to put on said liner.

In addition, prior to donning the boot 1 by the user, a first insole may be disposed in said boot to be in contact with the foot of said user.

In particular, the liner 1 is made of a material whose resilience is arranged to allow the retention of said liner on the foot by clasping, for example elastic fabric, mesh or neoprene. Thus, the liner 1 shown is devoid of reported clamping means on the foot, such as laces or self-gripping strips.

The liner 1 has a plantar zone 3 surmounted by a rod 4 and which comprises a heel portion 5 and a forefoot portion 6, said forefoot portion being in particular intended to be worn on the foot in contact with the toes. , metatarsal heads and the lateral part of the tarsus.

In addition, the liner 1 is equipped with an outsole 7, for example made of rubber which extends on the forefoot part 6 of the plantar zone 3. In the figures, the sole 7 extends only on the forefoot part 6, so that the material of the slipper 1 is discovered in the heel portion 5, said soleplate further extending around the edges of the forefoot part 6. To bring the material under the heel portion 5, the article of footwear further comprises an assembly comprising at least one module 8 and a reversible association device of said module below the plantar zone 3 of the liner 1.

The module 8 comprises a bottom 9 on which the bead portion 5 is intended to be arranged, said bottom being arranged to extend below said bead portion leaving free the forefoot part 6 when said module is associated In particular, the bottom 9 extends only below the heel portion 5 to leave free the forefoot portion 6. In connection with Figures 1 to 4, the module 8 has on the underside of its bottom 9 an outsole 10 which is arranged to complement that of the boot 1 to form a complete outsole for the footwear. The outsole 10 of the module is in particular made of the same material as the outsole 7 slipper 1, for example rubber. Furthermore, the sole 7 of the forefoot part 6 and / or the sole 10 of the module 8 may be supplemented by another sole, for example disposed beneath it to provide a damping function, said other sole being able in particular be made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). The bottom 9 is surrounded by a wall having two side portions 11, 12 connected by a rear portion 13 to form a housing 14 for receiving a rear portion 15 of the shoe 1 in which the heel portion 5 extends. In the embodiments shown, the bottom 9 and the parts 11, 12, 13 of the wall are made in one piece.

In FIGS. 1 to 4, the reversible association device of the module 8 with the boot 1 is integrated in said module. In particular, the reversible combination device of the module 8 slipper 1 comprises at least one clamping strap of the rear portion 15 of said slipper in the housing 14, the wall and / or said strap comprising means for reversibly fixing said strap in close association position. More specifically in relation to FIGS. 1, the association device comprises a strap 16 which is integral with the wall of the module 8 and which extends from the upper edge 11a of a lateral part 11, the other part lateral 12 comprising a slot 17 formed near its upper edge 12a and wherein said strap is intended to slide, so as to connect the side portions 11, 12 from above the rod 4 in the tight position of association of the module 8 In addition, the strap 16 comprises a free end 16a on which the user pulls to fix the module 8 on the heel portion 5, said free end can comprise on one of its faces a reversible fastening means, by Velcro® type self-gripping example, which is intended to be disposed after the tightening of said strap on a complementary fixing means arranged on a portion 16b of said strap passing over the rod 4. On the igure 2a, the device comprises a single strap 16 attached to the module 8 and which comprises a first end fixed on the upper edge 11a, for example by gluing or sewing. In addition, the device comprises a loop 18, for example of metal or plastic, which is fixed to the upper edge 12a of the other lateral portion 12 by means of a band 19 attached to said upper edge, for example by gluing or by sewing.

The strap 16 is intended to slide in the loop 18 so as to connect the side portions 11, 12 from above the rod 4 in the close association position. Furthermore, the strap 16 comprises reciprocal means for reversibly fastening in the closed position, for example such as those described above. In Figure 2b, the device comprises three straps attached to the module 8 and interconnected by means of two loops 18a, 18b triangle-shaped each disposed opposite a side portion 11, 12.

More specifically, a first strap 16 is fixed at one of its ends to a loop 18a and intended to slide in the other loop 18b, so as to connect the side portions 11, 12 from above the rod 4. Moreover, the first strap 16 comprises reciprocal means for reversibly fastening in the tight position, for example such as those described above. In addition, a second strap 20 is disposed on the periphery of the wall, in particular on the rear portion 13, so as to connect the side portions 11, 12 by said periphery. This second strap 20 comprises two ends which are each attached respectively to a loop 18a, 18b. Furthermore, a third strap 21 is arranged to connect the side walls 11, 12 from below the bottom 9 and comprises two ends which are each attached respectively to a loop 18a, 18b. In particular, the bottom 9 comprises a recess accessible via two slots 22 formed on a lower edge of a side wall 11, 12, respectively, the third strap 21 being disposed in said recess so that its ends exit each by respectively, a slot 22. Thus, it prevents the third strap 21 passes under the sole 10 of the module 8, and therefore its premature wear by friction and / or staining relative to sports, especially outdoors.

In FIG. 2c, the association device comprises a strap 23 attached to the module 8 and arranged to connect the lateral parts 11, 12 at the same time by the top of the rod 4, by the periphery of the wall and from below. 9. To do this, the strap 23 comprises a first end fixed to a first passer 18a which is arranged facing a lateral portion 11. The strap 23 then passes through a first slot 22 formed on a lower edge of the Lateral portion 11, then in a recess in the bottom 9, and opens through another slot on the other side portion 12, thereby connecting the side portions 11, 12 from below the bottom 9.

The strap 23 then passes into a second loop 18b which is arranged on the other lateral portion 12, then passes on the periphery of the rear portion 13, then in the first loop 18a, thus connecting the lateral portions 11, 12 by said periphery . Finally, the strap 23 passes over the rod 4 and passes again in the second loop 18b, so as to have a free end 23a on which the user pulls to fix the module 8 on the heel portion 5, said end free assembly comprising fastening means which are intended to collaborate with reciprocal fastening means provided on the portion 23b of the strap 23 which passes over the rod 4.

In Figure 2d, the device comprises a first strap 16 arranged to connect the lateral portions 11, 12 over the rod 4, and a second strap 24 arranged to connect said side portions both by the periphery of the wall and from below the bottom 9.

More specifically, the first strap 16 comprises a first end attached to a first passer 18a which is arranged facing a lateral portion 11, then slides in a second loop 18b which is arranged opposite the other lateral portion 12, said first strap further comprising reversible fastening means as described above. Furthermore, the second strap 24 passes through a recess formed under the bottom 9, in each of the loops 18a, 18b and on the periphery of the rear portion 13.

According to one embodiment, the module assembly comprises several modules 8 whose thickness and / or the density and / or the geometry of the bottom is different.

In particular, the geometry of the bottom 9 can vary from one module 8 of the assembly to another, so that each of said modules is adapted to a type of stride, for example among the types of universal stride, pronator or supine.

In addition, the thickness and / or the density of the bottom 9 may vary, so that each of the modules 8 of the assembly has a different damping capacity. The modules 8 of the assembly can also be made in different types of materials, among which ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyurethane (PU). In addition, the bottom 9 of a module 8 can be made based on two materials of different densities, said materials being distributed differently on said bottom according to the type of stride of the user.

Thus, the user can choose a given module 8 in order to adapt the footwear to its physical and / or physiological characteristics, including its weight and type of stride, and / or the progress of its training. In particular, as and when training, the user can use modules 8, the bottom 9 has a density and / or a thickness of less and less, so as to progressively degrade the damping at its level. heel, until he has adopted a type of race with impacts in the front of the foot. In relation with FIGS. 5, the association device of the module 8 with the shoe 1 is dissociated from said module. To do this, the association device comprises a cradle 40 on which the module 8 is disposed and a plating assembly of the bottom 9 of said module on the heel portion 5 of the liner 1. In the embodiment shown, the assembly plating comprises two lateral elements 31 respectively associated with one side of the cradle 40, for example by being integral with it. Each lateral element 31 extends on one side of the rod 4 and the plating assembly further comprises a means for clamping said lateral elements around said rod.

More specifically, each lateral element 31 comprises two strips - respectively front 31a and rear 31b - whose lower ends are respectively associated with a tongue 32 of the cradle 40, the upper ends of said strips being connected by a longitudinal band 31c. In addition, a heel band 31d is provided for connecting the rear bands 31b around the rear portion 15 of the shoe 1. Each longitudinal band 31c comprises a row of eyelets 33 in which a lace 34 passes, said eyelets and said lace forming clamping means of the lateral elements 31 around the rod 4 to ensure the plating of the bottom 9 on the heel portion 5 of the boot 1. In order to make the tightening more reliable, the module 8 comprises impressions 35 which extend on the side walls 11, 12 and in which are disposed the tabs 32. In addition, the side members 31 and / or the cradle 40 may be flexible, in particular elastic, to improve the clamping on the foot. Furthermore, the cradle 40 has a lower face that is equipped with a wear sole 36, said soleplate may extend over the tongues 32. In addition, the module 8 has a front edge 37 of reduced thickness intended for be disposed at the interface between said module and the sole 7 of the liner 1, said edge being arranged to prevent the formation of an excess thickness at said interface. Thus, both laterally and forwardly, it avoids direct impacts on the module 8 during the race. According to one embodiment, the article of footwear further comprises a set of inserts 25 of different thickness and / or density and / or geometry, as well as a single module 8 whose bottom 9 has means allowing the reversible mounting of one of said inserts under the heel portion 5. In particular, the insert 25 extends under the entire surface of the bottom 9, between said bottom and the sole 10. Thus, to obtain a suitable footwear, the user can choose an insert 25 and mount it in the bottom 9 of the module 8 before associating said module below the heel portion 5 of its boot 1.

In relation to FIGS. 3, the bottom 9 has an open footprint 26 at the top, the footwear comprising a set of three inserts 25a, 25b, 25c each having at least one base of complementary geometry to that of said imprint. In particular, the mounting of an insert 25a, 25b, 25c is by sliding in the cavity 26, said cavity may further comprise a reversible fastening system of said insert in said cavity, for example a system of self-gripping strips of Velcro® type.

Inserts 25a, 25b, 25c shown vary in thickness. To do this, the thinnest insert 25a comprises only a base 27 of thickness similar to the depth of the cavity 26 and each of the other inserts 25b, 25c also has an extra thickness 28 disposed above said base.

In relation with FIG. 4, the bottom 9 has a blind recess 29 accessible through a slot formed on a front face 30 of said bottom, the footwear comprising a set of three inserts 25 each having a geometry complementary to that of said recess. to be retained by clamping in said recess. In addition, after combination of the module 8 to 20 slipper 1, the slot of the recess 29 is obstructed by the rear of the sole 7. Moreover, each of these inserts 25 has in particular a different density, to present a capacity of different damping, in particular adapted to a given weight and / or type of stride and / or training level. To do this, the inserts 25 may in particular be made in different types of materials, among which ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or polyurethane (PU). In addition, an insert 25 may be made based on two materials of different densities, said materials being distributed differently on said insert according to the type of stride of the user.

Claims (12)

REVENDICATIONS1. Footwear comprising a liner (1) for receiving the foot of a user, said liner having a plantar area (3) surmounted by a shank (4), said plantar area comprising a heel portion (5) and a portion of a forefoot (6), said article further comprising an assembly comprising at least one module (8) and a reversible association device of said module below the plantar area (3) of said liner, said footwear being characterized in that that the module (8) comprises a bottom (9) on which the bead portion (5) is intended to be arranged, said bottom being arranged to extend below said bead portion leaving free the front portion foot (6) when said module is associated with said shoe. 2. Article of footwear according to claim 1, characterized in that the liner (1) is equipped with a outsole (7) which extends on the forefoot part (6), the module (8) and / or the association device having a outsole (10, 36) which is arranged to complete that of the liner (1) to form a footwear for said article. 3. Footwear according to claim 2, characterized in that the outsole (7) of the liner (1) extends only on the forefoot part (6), the material of the liner (1) being discovered in the heel portion (5). 4. Footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the liner (1) is made of a material whose resilience is arranged to allow the retention of said liner on the foot by clasping. 5. Article footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the bottom (9) is surrounded by a wall having two side portions (11, 12) connected by a rear portion (13) to form a housing (14) receiving a rear portion (15) of the boot (1) under which the heel portion (5) extends. 6. article of footwear according to claim 5, characterized in that the reversible association device of the module (8) to the boot (1) comprises at least one strap (16, 20, 21, 23, 24) for clamping the part rear (15) of the liner (1) in the housing (14), the wall and / or said strap comprising means for reversibly attaching said strap in the tight position of association of the module (8) to the boot (1). 7. article of footwear according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one strap (16, 20, 21, 23, 24) is integral with the wall of the module (8). 8. Article footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the association device of the module (8) to the shoe (1) comprises a cradle (40) on which the module (8) is arranged and a set of plating of the bottom (9) of said module on the heel portion (5) of the liner (1). 9. Footwear according to claim 8, characterized in that the plating assembly comprises two lateral elements (31) respectively associated with one side of the cradle (40) to extend each one side of the rod (4). said assembly further comprising means (33,34) for clamping said side members around said rod. 10. Footwear according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the cradle (40) has a lower face which is equipped with a wear sole (36). 11. Article footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it further comprises a set of inserts (25, 25a-25c) of thickness and / or density and / or different geometry , the bottom (9) having means (26, 29) for reversibly mounting one of said inserts under the heel portion (5). 12. Footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the module assembly comprises a plurality of modules (8) whose thickness and / or the density and / or the geometry of the bottom (9) is different.