GB2287868A

GB2287868A - Non-slip sole

Info

Publication number: GB2287868A
Application number: GB9405886A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Max Griggs
Original assignee: WOLLASTON VULCANIZING Co
Current assignee: WOLLASTON VULCANIZING Co
Priority date: 1994-03-24
Filing date: 1994-03-24
Publication date: 1995-10-04
Also published as: GB9405886D0

Abstract

Ridges (3) are formed on the sole portion (1) and/or heel portion (2) of a sports shoe. In order to be able to dispense with the use of studs, the ridges (3) have a saw-tooth cross section. Preferably, the outside facing sides (4) of the ridges (3) are at a steeper angle to the surface of the sole portion (1) and/or heel portion (2), eg 90 DEG , than the inside facing sides (5) of the ridges (3), eg approximately 20 DEG . <IMAGE>

Description

SOLE AND/OR HEEL FOR A SHOE The present invention relates to a sole and/or heel for a shoe, particularly a sports shoe such as a golf shoe, and also to a shoe provided with such a sole and/or heel.

It is common practice to provide the soles and heels of sports shoes with studs or spikes to enhance grip and to prevent slippage, particularly on wet turf. Golf shoes are frequently provided with studs or spikes for this purpose.

A disadvantage of studs or spikes is that it is usually necessary for the shoes to be changed as soon as the wearer reaches the edge of the turf, since the studs or spikes will suffer considerable wear if the shoes are used on pavements or road surfaces.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sole and/or heel for a shoe in which the use of studs or spikes may be dispensed with.

The present invention provides a sole and/or heel for a shoe as claimed in claim 1.

The invention also provides a shoe, particularly a golf shoe, provided with such a sole and/or heel.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: FIG. 1 is a plan view of a sole and heel in accordance with the invention for a right sports shoe, FIG. 2 is a plan view of a sole and heel in accordance with the invention for a left sports shoe, and FIG. 3 is a section taken along the line III - III of FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1 a through-sole for a sports shoe has a sole portion 1 and a heel portion 2. Both the sole portion 1 and the heel portion 2 are provided with a plurality of parallel ridges 3.

As can be seen more clearly from FIG. 3, the ridges 3 have a saw-tooth cross section. Each ridge 3 has a side 4 extending substantially upright from the surface of the sole portion 1 and the heel portion 2, and a side 5 extending at a less steep angle of between 10 to 60 , preferably substantially at 20 , to the sole portion 1 and the heel portion 2. It can be seen clearly from F-.J. 1 that the upright side 4 of each ridge 3 faces the outside of the through-sole, whereas the side 5 faces the inside of the through-sole.

When the sole and/or heel is used for a golf shoe, it has been found that the best surface grip providing stability during golf swing is provided if the ridges of the sole portion 1 extend both along and across the longitudinal extent of the through-sole as shown in FIG.

1, and the ridges of the heel portion 2 extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the through-sole. The ridges of the sole portion 1 may be at any suitable angle to the ridges of the heel portion 2, but are preferably at an angle of approximately 33-.

A similar through-sole for a left shoe is shown in FIG.

2. This through-sole may be provided with studs 6 if required, although sufficient grip should be provided by the ridges 3 for most purposes.

A logo button 7 may be provided in the centre of each through-sole, and may carry information such as size, trace mark, etc.

The sole and/or heel may be made from any suitable material, such as PVC, and the ridges 3 may be formed on the sole in a single moulding operation. Alternatively, the ridges could be attached in a separate operation, eg by adhesive, to the sole and/or heel. If desired, the ridges 3 may be provided with a different colour from that of the sole and/or heel.

Claims

1) A sole and/or heel for a shoe having a plurality of ridges with a substantially saw-tooth cross section.

2) A sole and/or heel as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sides of the ridges are at different angles of inclination to the surface of the sole and/or heel.

3) A sole and/or heel as claimed in claim 2, wherein sides of the ridges facing the outside of the sole and/or heel are at a greater angle of inclination to the surface of the sole and/or heel than the sides of the ridges facing the inside of the sole and/or heel.

4) A sole and/or heel as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sides of the ridges facing the outside of the sole and/or heel are substantially upright relative to the surface of the sole and/or heel.

5) A sole and/or heel as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the sides of the ridges facing the inside of the sole and/or heel are at an angle of between 10 and 60 to the surface of the sole and/or heel.

6) A sole and/or heel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the said angle is substantially 20*.

7) A sole and heel or a heel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ridges of the heel extend substantially along the heel.

8) A sole or a sole and heel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ridges of the sole extend in a direction along and across the sole.

9) A sole or a sole and heel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the ridges of the sole portion extend at an angle of substantially 33 to the ridges of the heel portion.

10) A sole and/or heel for a shoe substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

11) A shoe provided with a sole and/or heel as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

12) A golf shoe provided with a sole and/or heel as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.