RO109029B1 - Shoe article with improved sole and insertion therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

A midsole, partial midsole, or the like (10), for inclusion in an article of footwear having a flexible, air-permeable top sole, characterized by at least one plug (11) in the heel region having a thickness (height) sufficient to permit significant compression deformationm along its thickness dimension accompanied by simultaneous significant bulging deformation in its circumscribing surface perpendicular to the thickness dimension; the deformations occuring solely due to normal walking activity by any wearer of the footwear; and the deformations thereby providing simultaneously for shock-absorption and ventilation during said normal walking activity.

Description

The invention relates to improved footwear, especially shoes, with cushioning and ventilation of the foot, improved during walking. More specifically, the invention relates to improvements made to the midsole of footwear.

A large number of sports shoes are known, such as running shoes, many of them being in the trade, and in which the intermediate sole has different shapes, in order to obtain superior performances, of the athletic shoes. exterior, profiled, presenting only portions of effective contact with the ground, designed to provide shock damping characteristics.

US Patent No. 4,882,603, dated November 8, is known. 1988 granted to S.C.Brown, according to which, a separate, molded intermediate sole is provided, in which a series of parallel and spaced tubes are incorporated, generally arranged in a transverse position, along the length of the shoe. These parallel tubes are subjected to compression stresses and must have a strength and strength, sufficiently high, to withstand bending stresses, which are subjected to the length of the walls.

In another patent US 4316332, dated February 23, 1982, granted on behalf of Giese et al., An outer sole is presented, having deep and adapted portions to retain a shock absorbing material.

US Patent 4608768, dated September 2 1986, granted on behalf of Cavanagh, presents the use of plugs that are incorporated in a support with open running, forming the sole. The pins are made of a material harder than the sole material.

U.S. Patent No. 4831749, dated May 23, 1989, to Tsai, presents a shoe article, provided with an insole intended to provide ventilation and massage, which is provided with a series of air projections, facing up and coming. in contact with the foot of the wearer's foot and a series of air projections, facing downwards, on which the footwear carrier steps, with the heel so that on the boot of the wearer's sole, in contact with the insole, an air stream will be pumped, passing through some holes, each of them linking each other a projection facing upwards, with another projection pointing downwards, to achieve ventilation and massage of the paw.

US Patent No. 4685224, dated August 11, 1987, granted on behalf of Anger, discloses the use of a maze of channels for ventilation between the insole of the shoe and the sole of the foot. With this technical solution, a pumping effect is provided to move air around the paw and ventilate it.

Also, US Patent No. 3418731, dated December 31, 1968, shows the use of a shoe insole, having the upper and lower surfaces of a resilient material, the upper face of the sole being provided with a series of unpaired openings, and the one of down, with proper projections so as to provide some ventilation, while walking.

The documentary material, appearing to be the most in the subject, found in the known state of the art, is the US Patent No. 4845863, of July 11, 1989, granted to Lin Yung-Mao, in which the use of an insole or an intermediate sole is presented, in a shoe. In the description, there is shown a waterproof construction, intermediate sole / insole having some elastic elements, in the form of downwardly projecting elements, elements that are placed and dimensioned, so as to correspond to seats in the outer sole, to achieve an effect. of amortization, while walking. In this patent, the following deficiencies regarding the known state of the art are presented: in this way, the intermediate soles do not offer anything regarding the realization of an independent suspension or deformation of the different zones, from their composition and at the same time they are only suitable for a certain one. weight category or a certain preference of the cushioning of the wearer.

The necessity of the existence of an intermediate sole, having a series of cushioning elements, each able to make a suspension and to deform, independently of the rest of the elements, is found in connection with an intermediate sole presented in the Patent US 4733483, of March 29, 1988, granted to Lin.However, it has been found that a flat outer sole and an intermediate sole, as presented here, tend to create a trampoline effect, which forces the heel to hit hard and vibrate. If the midsole does not fit exactly into the shoe cavity, there is a tendency for the shoe to slip inside the shoe. In this way, it appears the need for an intermediate sole, which is provided with several elements of cushioning, with individual suspension and at the same time not to slip and vibrate.

In US Pat. No. 4843741, of the same family, also granted to Lin Yung-Mao, on July 4, 1989, similar constructions are presented, but in addition, the downward-oriented straps are provided with cavities, generally cylindrical in shape, in each element, in order to reduce the weight of the intermediate sole.

As another subject matter, the article in the New Scientist Magazine of July 15, 1989, entitled A Race for a Better Running Shoe, by Alison Turnball, pp. 42-44, as well as the following article How Elastic is a Running Shoe, is recommended. ? by Alexander and Bennett, pages 45 and 46. The authors analyze the recent trends in the field of shoe manufacturing, for athletics, where it is intended to return some of the released energy to the runner when making each step. There are many materials in the known state of the art, which are concerned with means for obtaining the return of a certain amount of energy in this way. Alexander and Bennett conclude the results of their tests, as follows: The quality of the shoe heel area concerns is probably the element that will reduce the impact forces.Aside from another point of view, heel should be capable of absorbing the kinetic energy of the paw without developing high forces so that high values at peak deformation and mechanical deformation work are probably good.

The high level of energy return to the front of the sole should be potentially important (Table 3). But these figures from the tests we have done, regarding the percentage of energy returned, still do not tell us how much energy a shoe returns. For this reason, we need to know what amount of energy was accumulated in the first place. The higher the peak deformation and the mechanical deformation work, the more energy is accumulated in the sole, when compressed. The higher the returned energy, the more energy from it is recovered at the elastic return.

The technical problem, which must be solved by the invention, consists in the creation of a shoe article, provided with a sole that maximizes the energy returned on foot, as well as a relatively reduced shock absorption, during normal walking and at the same time ventilation of the shoe interior. .

The shoe article removes the disadvantages of known solutions, by including an intermediate or a partial intermediate sole, which comes in the form of a separate and separate insert so adapted that it can be inserted between an outer sole and an insole, called an insert. comprising a base layer and a plurality of slightly compressible strains, integral with the base layer and perpendicular to its surface.

The present invention aims not only at maximizing or even obtaining energy returned to the walker, but also aims at achieving relatively reduced shock absorption during normal walking and at the same time ventilating the inside of the shoe.

In order to achieve this objective, it has been found that an extremely soft material must be used for the strains of the present invention, and these strains must be oriented either upward, under a flexible insole or downward, towards the insole, and these insoles to compress significantly during normal walking. During the compression movement, a movement of air is made between the screws, thus ventilating the respective foot and foot, through the insole. The production of the logs from a soft material ensures a high value, in terms of the peak deformation ', under the conditions of a low value of the mechanical deformation work.

It has been found that such footwear is beneficial for the joints of the wearer and for the spine and, of course, also for the foot.

The present invention presents a shoe article, which, in the sole area, has a series of vertical straps, adapted to compress at every step taken by the wearer. This footwear item contains a very valuable element, for shock absorption and offers a comfort base, for the foot, which adapts well to the contour of the sole, making a cushioning at every step taken by the wearer. The compressibility of the thermoplastic material is such that the screws are significantly compressed and deformed, to cushion each step performed by the wearer, the deformation is accompanied by an appreciable swelling of the screws, and the compression, swelling and return to the shape of the screws ensuring a significant current. of air, in the region of the sole with which the ventilation of the shoe article is made, respectively.

A embodiment of the present invention is embodied in an intermediate sole or a partial intermediate sole, adapted to be included in a shoe article, in order to ensure cushioning of the steps and ventilation of the foot.

The midsole or the midsole, in part, comprises a portion of cloth (fabric) adapted to extend at least along a portion of an outer sole, of the shoe article and includes a cushioning element, comprising a series of bolts oriented perpendicular to the plane of the fabric. Each pin is made of elastic, thermoplastic and slightly compressible rubber or something similar. The pins are distributed on the fabric so as to provide a comfortable base for the foot of the wearer and for the cushioning of each step. The distribution, size and number of the screws, as well as the compressibility of the material are chosen in such a way that the screws are slightly deformed and compressed significantly, to cushion the step taken by the wearer, the compression being accompanied by a substantial deformation of the screw. Compression, deformation and compression. subsequent, to the initial shape of the plug, it ensures the movement of the surrounding air and in this way, the ventilation of the shoe article.

In another embodiment, the invention presents a shoe article comprising an outer sole and insole, the outer sole being provided with a series of vertical plugs, formed of a resilient and easily compressible material. The pins are distributed on the outer sole so as to provide a comfortable base for the foot of the wearer and to cushion his footsteps. The distribution, size and number of the screws, as well as the compressibility of the plastic are such that the screws are deformed and compressed significantly, to cushion each step of the carrier, the compression being accompanied by a significant deformation of the screw. Compression, deformation and subsequent return to the initial shape of the plug ensures a significant air flow along the outer sole for ventilation of the shoe article.

Twelve examples of embodiments of the invention are given in connection with FIG. 1 ... 15 which represents:

FIG. 1 is a horizontal view of an intermediate sole according to the preferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the intermediate sole shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a portion of an intermediate sole shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of an intermediate sole, according to a second embodiment of the invention;

5 is a side view of a portion of an intermediate sole according to a third embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a side view of a portion of an intermediate sole, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 7, perspective view, of a shoe with partial section through the sole;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an intermediate sole according to a fifth embodiment of the invention;

- Fig. 9, perspective view of a partial and intermediate outsole, according to a sixth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a portion of an intermediate sole according to a seventh embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an intermediate sole portion according to an eighth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a partial, intermediate sole, according to a ninth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a side view of a portion of an intermediate sole, according to a tenth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an intermediate, partial sole, from the heel area, according to an eleventh example of embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 15, perspective view, of an intermediate, partial sole, from the heel area, according to a second embodiment of the invention.

The shoe article, according to an embodiment of the invention (Figs. 1 ... 3), includes an intermediate sole A, which is in the form of a distinct and separate inset having the shape of the sole, consisting of a membrane (base layer). ) 10, provided with a large number of tubular plugs, vertical 11, disposed on the entire surface of the intermediate sole A, which extends from the area of the big toe 12, passing through the area of the cushion 13 and reaching to the area of the heel 14. In this embodiment of the invention, each tubular plug 11 is perpendicular to the membrane (base layer) 10, attached thereto, to one of the ends and provided with a central hole 16. Preferably, the entire intermediate sole A is made using injection molding, in case that the membrane 10 and the vertical tubular plugs 11 are of the same material, the membrane 10 having a high flexibility, but being impervious to air. This intermediate sole A is convenient to be mounted in a shoe article with the membrane 10 in contact with the top of the outer sole and the vertical tubular pins 11 facing upwards. It has been found that the most suitable material for such an intermediate sole is known as Supersoft (extramural), a thermoplastic rubber, obtained from GLS PLASTICS of Woodstock, IL 60098 USA (sold under symbol G3294). The material is made of a thermoplastic compound, known as Kraton, provided by Shell Chemical Company. Preferred compounds of the Kraton type (because they are the softest having a hardness D-2240 Shore A of 27 and 34) are Kraton D-2104 and Kraton D3226.

The resulting material, of the Supersoft type (extramural), allows to obtain an intermediate soles, with a hardness below the value of 30 Shore and, preferably, around 20 Shore. Although the intermediate sole, which is obtained, is soft, yet it has an excellent elasticity and a long service life.

Of course, there are other materials besides Kraton, such as Estane, vinyl chloride or rubber. The main feature that is required of these materials is to ensure the obtaining of vertical, tubular 11 strains, which are easily compressible and significantly deformable (having a hardness below the value of about 30 shori), but having a long service life and good elasticity, in order to return to its original form, as soon as the compressive force is gone. The shape of the plugs is not limiting, and if they are tubular or full, their deformability is not generally influenced. In the variant according to the first embodiment of the invention, the pins 11 have a tubular shape, in order to achieve a thermoplastic rubber economy. In FIG. 2 and 3, portions of the intermediate sole A, shown in fig. 1 ie, a perspective view and a sectional view with a vertical plane. In figure 3, an intermediate sole A is provided with some projections 20 (low stumps), which provide a lower ventilation, below the intermediate sole A.

The shoe article, according to a second embodiment of the invention (FIG. 4), includes an intermediate sole, in the form of an insert whose base layer 10 is provided with low tubular plugs 21 and high tubular straps 22, disposed intercalated. It should be noted that in this constructive variant, the logs have different heights. This difference in height is taken, at your choice, but it seems that adjusting values below 10 mm would be reasonable.

The shoe article, according to ίο a third embodiment of the invention (fig. 5), includes an intermediate sole B whose membrane 10 is located in the central part of the tubular plugs 23. This contributes to the increase of shock absorbing capacity. In FIG. 3,4 and 5, the central holes 16 of the tubular plugs 11,21,22 and 23 are represented by a dotted line.

The shoe article, according to a fourth embodiment of the invention (Fig. 6), includes an intermediate sole, the tubular straps 11 of which are covered with a top layer 25, which can conveniently be made of a material porous or of a perforated material, thereby ensuring air movement. In Fig. 6, the screws 11 are seen in compression and deformation state.

In Fig. 7, a shoe made according to the invention is shown, with a partial section in the sole area, in which an intermediate sole A (such as the one in fig. 1) is mounted on the outer sole 31, and above it, a insole is provided flexible (30), air permeable.

The shoe article, according to a fifth embodiment of the invention (fig.8), comprises an outer sole 32, provided with a series of recesses 33 adapted to receive and retain some pins 11, having the form shown above, eliminating thus the presence of the membrane (the base layer) 10, for retaining these plugs. The pins 11 can be maintained in their positions, standing permanently in the holes 33 using some convenient means.

The shoe article, according to a sixth embodiment of the invention (fig.9), comprises an outer sole 42, which is provided from the manufacture, with cut areas 43 and 44 so that intermediate sections 40,41 dimensioned and conveniently configured are mounted directly therein, thus occupying less volume vertically, within the shoe article. In this way the intermediate sole segments 40,41 provided with the screws 11 are held efficiently, not being able to move through lateral movements. Of course, it is possible to provide only a cut area 43 or 44 in which to mount a single intermediate sole segment 40 or 41.

The shoe article, according to a seventh embodiment of the invention (Fig. 10), includes an intermediate sole whose membrane 10 is provided with cylindrical full bolts 50. For the straps 50, it may be necessary to use an even softer material. in order to maintain the high degree of compressibility, ensuring a convenient increase of the compression during walking and at the same time allowing the strain to deform and return to its original shape.

The shoe article, according to an eighth embodiment of the invention (fig. 11), relates to an intermediate sole, on whose connecting layer 10, there are provided vertical bolts 51, which are tubular and mainly have a square cross-section. The constructive parameters of the intermediate sole can vary, in order to obtain maximum performance. The parameters that can vary to achieve the objectives pursued by the invention are the resilience of the plastic material, the shape and height of the logs, the distribution and number of the logs per surface unit, the variation of the height of the different logs or lines of logs, tubular logs or full logs and the thickness of the logs, in the case of the logs. tubular etc. Satisfactory results are obtained, by using screws that have the cross-sectional area of about 0.5 cm ² and the wall thickness of 1 ... 3 mm, in the case of tubular bolts.

The shoe article, according to a ninth embodiment of the invention (fig. 12), refers to an intermediate sole, respectively to an intermediate sole segment 41, whose membrane 10 is provided with tubular straps 11, but which do not have all the same height, decreasing progressively from the pins 52 to the pins 53 when they reach the thumb area. The length of the pins can be varied in any convenient way to adapt to the geometry inside the shoe article.

The shoe article, according to a tenth embodiment of the invention (fig. 13), includes an intermediate sole, composed of two membranes 10 provided with cylindrical bolts full 50 superimposed so that the pins of the two layers are seated face to face, to get an additional amor109029 tiz. And in this case, the upper base layer must be flexible and preferably air permeable.

The shoe article, according to an eleventh embodiment of the invention (Fig. 14), includes an outer or intermediate sole, which in the heel area 60 is provided with a square-shaped recess 61. In the recess 61, there is a single stem 62 of cylindrical shape and large diameter, which in the figure is seen in the position of total deformation by compression. As can be seen, compression deformation causes the plug 62 to fill, but only partially, the space between its circumference and the corners of the square recess 61, thus pumping up the air at each compression thereof.

The shoe article, according to a twelfth embodiment (fig. 15), includes a segment 70 of the heel area of a women's shoe or sandal, which is provided with a cylindrical 71 or a triangular shape 72. recesses. 71 or 72 is not limiting, and can be used depths with any polygonal contour. Inside these recesses, there are provided pins 73 and 74, which are longer than the height of the respective recesses, so that when they are mounted in them, they come out, as desired, to ensure a proper cushioning.

Claims (27)

1. An improved sole shoe article, comprising an outer sole, an intermediate sole and an insole, characterized in that it includes an intermediate sole, which is in the form of a distinct and separate insert (A, B), consisting of either a membrane (10) on which are provided some screws (11,21,22,23,50,51,52,53,73,74) so adapted that it can be inserted between an outer sole (31,32,42) and an insole (30) on the entire surface of the sole, or only on a certain cut area (43,44,60) thereof, either from some pins (11) which protrude out of the outer sole (32), fixed in some depths (33) provided in the outer sole (32). The shoe article according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least one large cylindrical, large diameter (62) pin, made of a material of high compressibility and easily compressible, mounted in a rectilinear recess ( 61) corresponding, which defines rectilinear wall portions, which meet, forming corners in the heel area (60) of the shoe article, the circumference of the cylindrical pin (62) reaching the rectilinear wall portions, of the rectilinear recess (61) when it is located In the non-deformed state, the pin (62) which is higher than the recess (61) in which it is mounted, to cushion the wearer's steps, by compression deformation, also performing a ventilation of the foot, by simultaneously inflating and filling the spaces between the circumference and the corners of the recess (61) when pressed. The shoe article according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one solid cylindrical stem (62) is under a flexible insole (30), permeable to air. The shoe article according to claim 2, characterized in that the rectilinear recess (61) is rectangular. The shoe article according to claim 2, characterized in that the rectilinear recess (61) is polygonal. 6. The shoe article according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of smaller straps (73.74), fixed in corresponding grooves (71.72) and mainly evenly distributed, on the surface of the heel area ( 70). 7. A separate and distinct insert (A) for the shoe article according to claim 1 so as to be separated by a wall portion thereof, characterized in that it is formed by a membrane (10) integral with a plurality of tubular plugs (11,21,22,50,51,52,53), which extend vertically, in at least part of the membrane (10), made of an elastic material, extremely soft, deformable and thermoplastic , having a hardness Shore A (D-2240) whose value is less than 35, the tubular strains having the height within the limits of about 3 mm, up to about 10 mm and being sufficient in number and construction, to allow a significant deformation of the thermoplastic material and the compression of the air trapped inside the tubular strains (11, 21, 22, 50, 51, 52, 53,) along the dimension, in height, of them, accompanied by a simultaneous, significant deformation, in the surface that is perpendicular to the height of the so-called tubular strains (11, 21, 22, 50, 51, 52, 53), when said insert (A) inserted in the shoe article is used to ensure shock absorption and ventilation of the inside. An insert according to claim 7, characterized in that said tubular plugs are covered by a flexible insole (30), permeable to air. An insert according to claim 7, characterized in that said thermoplastic material has a Shore A hardness (D-2240) of about 20. An insert according to claim 7, characterized in that said tubular plugs are cylindrical in shape. An insert according to claim 7, characterized in that the membrane (10) has the sole configuration. 12. Insert according to claim 7 or 11, characterized in that said tubular bolts vary in height such that the tubular bolts (53), in the thumb area of said shoe article, are shorter than the rest of the tubular bolts (52). An insert according to claim 7, characterized in that the membrane (10) is generally disposed in a cut area (43) of the heel of the shoe article. An insert according to claim 7, characterized in that the membrane (10) is generally disposed in a cut area (44), provided at the front of the shoe article. An insert according to claim 7, characterized in that said thermoplastic material is selected from a group consisting of styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene, urethane ester, polyvinyl chloride and rubber. 16. Insertion according to claim 7, characterized in that said tubular bolts vary in height, having low tubular bolts (21), interspersed with higher tubular bolts (20). An insert according to claim 7, characterized in that said tubular plugs (51) have mainly a square cross-section. An insert according to claim 7, characterized in that said thermoplastic material comprises styrene-ethylene-butylene styrene as the base material. 19. The shoe article according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises an outer sole (32), provided with a plurality of recesses (33), wherein a plurality of tubular plugs (11) are provided, fixed by means of adhesive or other means. convenient means, the tubular plugs (11) being higher than the recesses (33), in which they are fixed and covered with a flexible insole (30). 20. The shoe article according to claim 19, characterized in that the flexible insole (30) positioned above the tubular straps (11) is made of an air-permeable material. 21. The shoe article according to claim 19, characterized in that the tubular straps (11) vary in height. 22. A separate and separate insert (B) for inserting into the shoe article according to claim 1 so as to be separated by a wall portion of the shoe article, characterized in that it is formed by a membrane (10) and a plurality of tubular plugs (23), integral with it, extending mainly vertically on both sides of the membrane (10), each tubular plug (23) having a wall portion with spaced inner and outer surfaces, respectively a first limb and second limb, the so-called inner and outer surfaces defining a working surface between them, at least one of the two extremities, the tubular bolts (23) being made of a deformable, elastic and soft thermoplastic material, having predetermined dimensions in height and being sufficient in number and construction, to allow a significant deformation of them and the compression of of the air trapped inside the tubular straps (23) along their height dimension, accompanied by a simultaneous, significant deformation, of the portion of the perpendicular wall, relative to the height dimension of the tubular straps (23), when the insertion (B) ) is inserted into a shoe item and used to provide cushioning and ventilation. 5 Insertion according to claim 22, characterized in that the tubular pins (23) have a cross section, mainly, square. An insert according to claim 22, 10, characterized in that the tubular pins (23) have a circular cross-section. An insert according to claim 22, characterized in that the membrane (10) is generally disposed in a cut area (43) of the heel of the shoe article. An insert according to claim 22, characterized in that the membrane (10) is generally disposed in a cut area (44) in the front of the shoe article. An insert according to claim 22, characterized in that said thermoplastic material comprises styrene-ethylene-butylene styrene as the base material.