WO2000053043A2

WO2000053043A2 - Springing element for footwear soles, particularly for soles with studs and sole, stud and footwear product having such element

Info

Publication number: WO2000053043A2
Application number: PCT/EP2000/001706
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mauro Testa; Felice Festa
Original assignee: Michelini, Diego; Tappero, Roberto
Priority date: 1999-03-05
Filing date: 2000-03-01
Publication date: 2000-09-14
Also published as: WO2000053043A3; EP1156724A2; AU3426000A

Abstract

The invention relates to a springing element (1) for footwear soles, characterized in that it consists of at least one member having the form of a small cap or dome, or of an arched washer with a hole at its centre, said hole being encircled by a ring of tongues. The invention further relates to a footwear sole, characterized in that it comprises one or more of the springing elements or springing members, which sole is composed of two superposed layers, said springing elements or members being provided between those layers, and to a footwear product, particularly a sport footwear product, having said sole.

Description

SPRINGING ELEMENT FOR FOOTWEAR SOLES, PARTICULARLY FOR SOLES WITH STUDS AND SOLE, STUD AND FOOTWEAR PRODUCT HAVING SUCH ELEMENT

The invention relates to a springing element for footwear soles.

It is currently known to provide footwear soles, particularly for sport footwear with sprung inserts making use of arrangements ranging from layers of elastic materials to springing elements , such as elastic inserts in the orm of air chambers , or the like.

Sole springing is an essential feature, particularly in football footwear with studs .

The use of elastic materials and of air chambers has proved to be unable to ensure springing for stud use . Moreover , even for other footwear types , the use of elastic materials and of air chambers is relatively expensive and also involves problems , not least accidental puncturing of air chambers , resulting in a loss of function of footwear .

Therefore, the invention has the object of providing a springing element for soles and consequently a footwear product and a footwear sole allowing to obviate the above drawbacks , while providing an increase and improvement of functionality, especially aimed at stud use, to optimize adaptation of footwear dynamic behavior to physiological and functional needs .

The invention solves the above problem by providing an elastic element as described hereinbefore , consisting of at least one member having the form of a small cap or dome, or of an arched washer with a hole at its center, said hole being encircled by a ring of tongues . Said element may have any size and shape . Particularly, a sector of a sphere or spheroid is the preferred shape .

Advantageously, said member is smaller than a footwear sole and its thickness substantially has the same order of magnitude of the sole thickness .

The said elastic elements may be of any kind of plastic material or mixture thereof, acrylic resins, natural or synthetic rubber, metal or any kind of other material elastic or non elastic. These elements may be used alone or in combination with one another in any number and any kind of combination .

One or more of these members are designed to be disposed in a sole structure comprising at least two layers , one inside and the other outside the footwear product, said springing elements being arranged in predetermined patterns between the two soles .

Advantageously, and depending on the way stresses are arranged over the surface of the sole, the springing elements may be more concentrated or only disposed in a few partial areas of the sole. Particularly, these springing elements are more or only concentrated in the heel or plantar part.

The elastic springing elements of the whole sole or of a few parts of the sole may be distributed separately one of the other over the sole extension or connected by connecting means , such as bridges of material or joining ribs, thereby generating one or more prefabricated composite springing arrays in the form of grids , the springing elements being provided in the nodes thereof.

The springing elements may also consist of combinations of one or more superposed arched elements , made of the same or different materials , so that the elastic behavior thereof can be appropriately calibrated.

Furthermore each elastic element may have also a somehow modified dimension and shape, maintaining in any case its basic structure, for adaptation to the dimensions and/or shapes considered to be the best ones for the specific use. For example, in relation to some particular pathologies , or very high weight of the user as in the case of patients affected by diabetes, it is necessary that due to wounds on this patients do not rest on considerable points but on cylindrical surfaces .

The geometric conformations of the composite springing elements in grid patterns may be of any type .

Preferably, advantages have been obtained from triangular or rhomboidal plan patterns , substantially symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sole .

In this case, there may be provided diametral or diagonal transverse connections , which may have f rther springing elements in intermediate locations . When these springing elements or springing arrays are provided in combination with soles with studs , the springing elements may be arranged in intermediate positions, staggered between adjacent points of attachment for studs to the sole . The springing elements or springing arrays of springing elements may be made from any material having suitable elastic features, such as plastic, metal or combinations of materials .

The invention also relates to a footwear sole, which sole is composed of at least two superposed layers , one or more springing elements made as described above being provided between said layers .

The elastic elements or the springing elements arrays may be formed directly in one piece with one layer forming the sole.

Particulalrly the elastic elements or the arrays of such elements may be placed between the sole and the lasting sock .

The elastic elements or the array of such elements may be moulded in the lasting sock. The lasting sock itself may be of one piece only or formed by different parts of the same or of different ma eruials one from the other.

In a further embodiment the elastic elements or the array of these elements may be formed in a removable or fixed insole which may be formed by any number of layers and by one or more different materials such as fibrous or non fibrous cardboard, rubbers, foamed rubber , leather , active carbons , any kind of textile material , natural or synthetic cork and/or its derivatives or E.V.A. or similar materials.

In a further embodiment, the elastic elements or the array thereof may coincide with corresponding recesses in one of the two layer between which these elements or arrays are placed or in booth the said layers. This will enhance the stability. The recesses are obviously of such dimension as not to impede the elastic function of the elements or of the arrays of elements . The elastic elements or the arrays thereof may be placed as an insert in any way and in any position like forward, backward or centrally and in any kind of footwear, irrespective of the use of the specific footwear (for relaxing, casual footwear, footwear for sports, footwear for work, and also in security footwear, orthopedic footwear, corrective footwear and health footwear, either for men, women or child.

The invention further relates to a footwear product, particularly to a sport footwear product, especially a football footwear product, provided with studs, wherein the sole consists of a combination of two superposed layers , one or more springing elements according to the above description being interposed therebetween . The invention provides to embodiments for the combination of the elastic element and the studs particularly in football shoes .

This kind of structure may nevertheless used also in other kind of shoes as for example in Golf shoes where often a heel with nails is used.

Alternatively or in combination with the invention there is provided a stud particularly for sport shoes or footwear which stud comprises a body and an extension or fastening it to a sole or the like . Due to frequent competitive events currently causing a high stress to the muscular and locomotor systems of athletes , and as a function of the incidence of injuries on the budgets of sport clubs, both for the recovery of injured athletes and for missed sport results, which have an economic impact when important and representative athletes are involved, the current trend is to improve the quality of sport footwear, towards the goal of meeting the functional needs of the human body as a whole . This is a desirable trend also at an amateur level , in which , especially for young people , sports like soccer, rugby, football are also practiced for utility purposes, i.e. to assist a well-balanced morphological and structural growth. Obviously, injuries or footwear affecting postural attitudes of young users , i.e. relations between skeletal segments , are highly noxious in this respect.

At present, in order that sport footwear can be more suitable for the functions of the human body, a tendency is being established towards footwear cushioning. A discharge system, intended as a system which can dissipate overload at the lower part of the locomotor system is the optimal solution to drastically reduce stresses acting on joints, menisci, tendons, muscles and bones . Such a system would also be excellent for functional recovery of injured people .

The above mentioned stud has the object to provide for a sport footwear which can ensure the elasticity required to meet as closely as possible the functional needs of the human body.

According to the above goals the invention provides in combination or alternatively with the elastic member and/or with a sole in which there are provided such elastic members or a composite springing elements , a stud whose body or whose means for fastening it to the sole have elastic shock absorbing features with respect to the sole .

The stud comprises a shock absorbing elastic member interposed between the stud body and the means for fastening it, e.g. to the sole.

The shock absorber elastic means may consist of the stud body itself.

The shock absorber elastic means may be of the composite type , i.e. composed of several elements cooperating with different parts or operating between different zones of the stud.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the structure of the stud is like that of a spring suspension, there being provided stud components in the form of stems which slide relative to the means for fastening the stud to the sole, and stud components in the form of elastic springing elements and shock absorbing elastic means .

A preferred embodiment of the stud comprises a rigid member , preferably made of metal , which forms a central core, integral with a supporting end part, and which extends from said end part towards the end whereby the stud is fastened to the sole, said fastening end being fastened in such a manner as to be able to slide axially within a predetermined range relative to a fastening plate and elastic springing and shock absorbing means being provided between said plate, sliding along the rigid core and the opposite end of said rigid core, which forms the stud supporting end part.

Preferably the elastic means are formed by at least one of the elastic members according to the invention as described above .

The said at least one elastic member in the form of a concave disc or washer, having a hole at its center, whose edge rests against radial abutments of the rigid core, provided in a predetermined intermediate position and whose peripheral edge abuts against the associated face of the plate for fastening the stud to the sole, the concave elastic disc being turned by its convex side towards the radial abutment/s of the rigid core and the concave side towards the fastening plate.

The plate is clamped against the sole by means of a nut, provided at the threaded end of the rigid core projecting towards the inner side of the sole or of components of said sole .

Preferably, along the peripheral edge of the central hole, the concave disc is made in such a manner as to form a ring of separate radial tongues .

According to a further improvement, further elastic means, consisting of an elastic bushing interposed between the elastic disc and another radial abutment of the rigid core are associated to the first elastic member, i.e. the concave disc.

Preferably, the radial abutments of the bushing are provided at the stud supporting end part and the opposite abutment consists once more of the peripheral edge of the plate for fastening the stud to the sole. Particularly, the abutment end of the elastic bushing abuts against the peripheral edge of the plate, laying over the peripheral edge of the concave disc.

One improvement provides an elastic bushing extending over at least part of the distance between the radial abutments at the supporting end part and the plate for fastening the stud to the sole, the remaining part consisting of an interposed bushing made of a rigid material, whose side turned towards the convex side of the concave disc forms a chamber for housing it having such shape and size, that the rigid interposed bushing contacts the disc only along the peripheral edge abutting against the fastening plate, and has a central hole in the central part for the passage of the rigid core which projects inside the chamber for housing the concave disc with the radial abutments for said concave disc.

The radial abutments of the concave disc on the rigid core consist of the end side of a radial wider part of the rigid core, having a predetermined axial length and preferably a non round shape, which pass through a complementary central hole , also preferably non round, of the rigid interposed bushing.

The elastic bushing which forms the second shock absorbing elastic means possibly combined with the rigid interposed bushing, is made from an elastic material, particularly profiled, for instance, with a skirt side having a concave shape or a bellows shape, whose folds or turns are circular or helical like in a screw. Thanks to the above, when clamped to the sole, the rigid core of the stud, with the end part of the stud is slidably supported by the two elastic forces exerted by the elastic or shock absorbing bushing and by the disc or concave washer. The mechanical stresses acting on the bearing element, i.e. on the rigid core, are at least partially discharged on the elastic member, said rigid core being able to slide against the elastic action thereof relative to the plate for fastening the stud to the sole within a predetermined limited range . So an elastic response of the shoe to the impact with the ground is provided.

The particular construction allows to optimize calibration of the elastic behavior of the stud. Further, the particular construction allows to keep the stud externally closed, thereby preventing dust, soil or other material from penetrating inside it and from restricting or affecting its functions .

The admitted stroke is appropriately relatively restricted. Several construction variants may be provided, which form the subject of the subclaims , and will be described in further detail below.

The invention relates to a sport shoe or footwear product, comprising a sole which bears at least one, preferably more shock absorber studs.

Soles may have six to twelve shock absorber studs .

In order to compensate for the elasticity of studs, the sole is provided with elastic stiffeners at the points of attachment of one or more studs . Particularly, these stiffeners may extend over more than one stud, depending on the arrangement thereof .

With a traditional arrangement, two crossed elastic sole-stiffening bands are provided in the plantar part and/or in the heel part.

Obviously, other solutions may be also provided, the structure, the pattern and the arrangement of stiffeners mainly depending on stud arrangement.

In accordance with a further characteristic of the invention, the sole may also have further stationary stabilizing elements, separately from or in combination with the elastic studs .

A first embodiment provides an arched rib in the front part, extending along the shoe tip while projecting out of the sole. This arched rib may be obviously provided at the opposite heel part, separately with or in combination with that of the tip part.

Separately from or in combination with the arched ribs , a central fin extending in the longitudinal direction of the shoe, may be provided in the central part of the heel and/or in other parts as well . This fin may have different lengths and shapes . Particularly, it comes up with an inclined edge from a substantially median point of the sole, and develops in projection towards the heel part. Here, it can terminate in an intermediate position between studs, when the latter are present, or abut against a central stud like a stationary lead-in fin towards said stud. The latter may be made of one piece with the central fin, whereby it has no shock absorbing feature, or may be harmonized with respect to the profile of connection to the central fin, though being completely free therefrom, so it may also be of the shock absorbing type.

Further variants may provide two fins , e.g. on the two longitudinal sides of the sole and in an intermediate position between the heel and the plantar parts . The central and side stabilizing fins have projections typically and preferably lower than those of the studs .

Thanks to the above arrangements , by the shock absorber stud, a sport footwear product according to the invention discharges vertical forces more evenly, while causing the proprioceptive effect, the maintenance of the center of gravity of the body, and keeping thereby all muscular and articular parameters unaltered. This constancy of muscular and articular parameters allows an easy achievement of better athletic performances , without stressing anatomic structures .

One advantage of the present construction consists in that the stud can be easily removed and allows calibration of the elastic discharge forces . This is particularly useful for injured people, since it is possible to calibrate a lower body weight thereof, hence providing a higher shock absorbing and discharging effect of the footwear.

There may be provided several types of studs, which can be easily replaced. This is obtained thanks to the fact that shock absorbing bushings may be easily replaced and that they must not necessarily have a cylindrical shape, but may be appropriately profiled to obtain particular thrust effects .

The possibility of modularly removing the stud and of replacing some parts thereof, also allows to suppress its shock absorbing effect by replacing elastic parts with non elastic or rigid parts, either partially or completely .

Besides having shock absorber studs , the shoe according to the invention may also have an additional set of elements projecting out of the sole, which provide several different functional advantages . The arched ribs provide a better grip on the ground. The central fin, alone or in combination with or alternatively to the lateral fins provide higher stability. In accordance with a further characteristic of the invention, the shoe may have ankle protectors hinged thereto and made of a substantially rigid and suitably lined material .

These ankle protectors advantageously consist of two fold over tongues, preferably provided inside the shoe .

Corresponding recesses for housing the ankle protectors may be also formed in the wall of the shoe .

The rigid element is made of plastic and consists of two parts , one integral with the shoe and the other with the tongue, connected by a film hinge .

Further characteristics of the invention will form the subject of the dependent claims.

The characteristics of the invention and the advantages derived therefrom will appear more clearly from the following description of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, illustrated in the annexed drawings , in which :

Figs . 1 and 2 show two composite springing elements in a grid pattern or array, which are designed for the heel and for the plantar parts of a footwear sole respectively .

Fig. 3 is a partial top plan view of the lower stud supporting layer of a sole for football footwear, with the composite springing elements as shown in figs. 1 and 2 in mounted positions .

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial view of the plantar part as shown in fig . 3.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the detail as shown in fig . 4.

Fig . 6 shows an enlarged detail of the view as shown in fig. 4 , relating to the heel part of the foot or footwear .

Fig. 7 is a partial side view of the heel part of the foot or footwear, as related to the sole of fig. 4 against a second sole layer.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged and schematic side view of a sole according to the invention for a generic footwear type. Fig. 9 is a view of a further embodiment of the composite springing element relating to the plantar part of the footwear , according to fig . 2.

Fig. 10 is a view of a further embodiment of the composite springing element relating to the heel part of the footwear, according to fig. 1.

Figure 11 and 12 illustrates two further embodiments of arranging the elastic elements on a sole for footwear .

Figs. 13, 14, 15 are three exploded views of three studs according to the invention.

Figgs . 16, 17, 18 show the corresponding studs in the mounted condition .

Figs. 19 and 20 are two sectional views through axial planes of two variant embodiments of the stud according to the invention in the mounted condition. Figs. 21 and 22 are two views of a stud with a particular conformation .

Figs. 23 and 24 are a bottom plan view of a shoe sole and a sectional view of said sole showing the heel and tip parts .

Figs. 25 and 26 show a variant embodiment like in figs. 23 and 24.

Figs. 27, 28, 29, 30 are different views of the whole shoe according to the invention or of details thereof.

With reference to figures 1 and 2 , a springing element for footwear soles consists of at least one member 1 in the form of a small dome, cap or arched washer, having a hole 101 in the median part. The edge of the hole 101 is composed of a plurality of radial tongues 201 being arched in accordance with the shape of the member .

In the illustrated embodiment, the arched washer has the shape of a sector of a sphere. Obviously, this shape shall not be intended as restrictive. The springing member 1 may also have spheroid shapes or arched non-round shapes like cones , truncated cones or combined shapes .

The members 1 may be disposed between two layers 102 and 202 of a sole, as shown in fig, 8, in which the second sole surface is simulated by the surface of an experimental support element.

The members 1 may be arranged in any manner over the sole surface and may follow predetermined patterns , adapted both to the physiological features of the user and to the specific use of the footwear product.

As shown in figs . 1 and 2 , single members 1 may be joined together by bridges 103 of material to form a combined or composite element. The composite springing elements 3 are particularly made in the form of grids , wherein the springing elements 1 are provided at nodal points .

The distribution of the springing elements 1 may be also locally uneven, the springing elements being provided with a higher density or exclusively in certain parts of the sole .

To this end, different combined springing elements 3, 3' may be provided, being designed for certain parts of the sole . With reference to figs . 3 to 7 , the combined springing elements 3 , 3 ' are solely designed for the heel part and for the plantar part and are made separately, and composed of a different number of springing members 1. The combined springing elements 3, 3' have a rhomboidal shape, substantially symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sole. Is some cases, transverse diagonal joining elements are provided, connecting one or more points of the springing members 1, such as in the case of the element 3' , which is designed for the plantar part.

This configuration is particularly suitable for the use of soles with studs 4. The studs 4 have a usual arrangement and the springing elements may have springing members 1 positioned in intermediate points along the connection lines between two axes of adjacent studs , as shown in figs . 3, 6 and 7.

In these figures, the studs are fastened by screws 5 to the lower layer of the sole , the other foot supporting layer being omitted.

Therefore, the screws 6 show the points of attachment for the studs to the sole .

The plantar parts as shown in figs . 3 , 4 and 5 have different arrangements of the studs and of the members 1.

The members 1 of the combined springing element 3 ' are always staggered with respect to the points for stud attachment, but in such a pattern that the highest concentration is in the part where the highest impact and thrust stress is exerted, i.e. in the proximity of or in the metatarsal region .

Obviously, the pattern illustrated and described herein is not the only possible one. Particularly, the springing members 1 may be provided in partial or full coincidence with all or part of the studs.

According to a further variant embodiment, not shown, the springing members 1 may also be composed of two or more small caps made of different materials or with different arching curves , and superposed in a predetermined order to obtain different elastic behaviors either globally or with respect to the stress range .

The studs may be mounted directly onto the lower layer 102 of the sole 2 or on a common support base, fastened to the layer 102 of the sole. In combination with or alternatively to the elastic springing elements 3, stud holders 107 may be provided between the layer 102 of the sole and the base . According to a further variant embodiment, some studs may have their own elastic members 1 , mounted on or in combination with the associated dedicated astening means .

Fig. 7 shows by way of indication a surface 202 which forms the second sole part 202, and exemplifies the operation of the elastic springing elements 3 , 3 ' and of the springing members 1.

As shown with dashed lines the sole 202 may have a plane surface contacting the springing elements 3 , 3' or it may show recesses coincident with the elastic elements 1 forming the springing elements 3 , 3' . In this case the spheroid elastic elements 1 partially fit in the corresponding recess , in a measure that will ensure the functions of the said elements 1. This recesses ensure a better stability of the arrangement of the two soles 102 , 202 with therebetween the composite springing elements 3, 3', particularly against lateral displacements .

Hence, a shoe or footwear product, particularly a sport footwear product and especially a football footwear product with studs has a sole 2 composed of two layers, an outer layer 102 resting on the ground and an inner foot supporting layer 202 , one or more springing members 1 being interposed in predetermined positions and arrangements therebetween, either individually or combined in the form of one or more composite springing elements 3 , 3 ' .

Obviously , the sole 2 may have , in combination therewith, further individual or combined layers, either in the form of multilayer laminates or in the form of elements composed of several different parts . Still in combination therewith, the sole according to the invention may also have one or more inserts for providing it with particular functional features , such as stiffening and/or shock-absorbing and/or other inserts .

Obviously, the invention is not limited to what is disclosed and claimed herein, but may be greatly varied, comprising any model achieving equal utility by using the same guiding principle.

Figures 9 and 10 show a further embodiment of the composite springing elements as the ones shown in fig . 1 and 2. In this case each element may comprise elastic elements 1 and 1' of different sizes and/or of different materials. Furthermore, as it is apparent from figures 11 and 12, contrary to the preceding embodiment, in this case the geometry of the composite elastic elements 3, 3' provides three elastic elements for the plantar part of the sole and four elastic elements for the heel part of the sole .

The three elements 1 forming the composite springing element 3 for the plantar part of the sole are placed on the corners of a triangle, while the four elements 1 of the heel springing element 3' are placed at the angles of a rhombus . As shown by figures 11 and 12, the elastic elements 1 , 1 ' need not to be connected together in a composite springing element as the ones indicated by 3 and 3' , but the may placed separately and in the right positions simply on the sole 102.

Furthermore the elastic elements 1, 1' may also be formed in one piece with the sole 102 or with the sole 202.. It is possible also that part of the elements 1, 1' are formed on one sole layer 102 and part on the other layer 202, in such a position on each sole layer 102, 202 as to have the desired geometrical relation when the two soles layers 102, 202 are superimposed one on the other for forming the sole of the footwear .

With reference to figures 13 to 20, a shock absorber stud according to the invention comprises a supporting member 10, generally made of metal, such as aluminum or the like, anyway of a rigid material, which forms a rigid core of the stud. The supporting member 1 has a truncated cone shaped end part 110 which extends by a coaxial stem having a non round part 210 and another cylindrical threaded extension 310 for screwing thereon a nut or another nut screw designed for fastening the stud to the sole of a footwear product (see figs. 19 to 27) . An abutment bushing 31 is slipped onto the non round part 210, having a corresponding non round central aperture 131 , and abuts against the facing end side of the end part 110 of the supporting member 10 through a further elastic bushing 21. The elastic bushing 21 has a cylindrical hole 121 wherein a connecting extension 231 of the rigid abutment bushing 31 is inserted.

With reference to figures 13 to 20, the shock absorbing elastic bushing 21 may have various shapes.

In figs. 13 and 16, the bushing 21 has a cylindrical shape whose cross section is narrower in the median part, thereby forming a concave skirt side 121. In figs. 15 to 18, the shock absorbing bushing 21 has a bellows shape or a peripheral wall composed of alternate annular bands with greater and smaller diameters 221, 321.

In both cases , the shock absorbing bushings are made of an elastic material such as rubber, plastic, or the like .

Obviously, other shapes are also admitted. For example, a smooth surface shape, or a non cylindrical, conic shape, or the individual annular bands of the embodiment as shown in igs . 3 to 6 may have a helical shape with a predetermined pitch and a predetermined screwing direction. Combinations of several shock absorbing elastic bushings with different shapes and possibly different materials may be also provided, in order to modulate the elastic and shock absorbing response.

The side of the interposes rigid bushing 31 opposite to the shock absorbing bushing is concave 331.

Particularly, the recess 331 has the shape of a sector of a sphere .

Between said side of the abutment bushing 31 and a fastening plate 51 at an elastic member 1 is interposed, which forms the actual spring of the shock absorbing stud. The elastic member 1 is made as the one described above relatively to the previous embodiment of a sole for footwears according to fivures 1 to 12. The elastic member 1 is disposed with its convex side turned towards the concave end side of the rigid intermediate bushing 31 and with the concave side turned towards the fastening plate 51. The radial teeth or tongues 201 abut against annular radial abutments of the support member 10 consisting of the facing end side of the radial wider part 210 of the supporting member 10 which projects inside the concave part of the rigid bushing through the central hole thereof . In the mounted condition, the elastic member 1 abuts by its peripheral edge against the peripheral edge of the fastening plate 51. The peripheral edge of the concave end side of the rigid interposed bushing 31 also abuts against said peripheral edge. The concave part of said rigid bushing is made in such a manner that the corresponding end side of the rigid interposed bushing 21 does not contact the convex part of the elastic member 1. Hence, although the stud is always externally closed in any operating condition, a certain stroke of the supporting member relative to the plate 51 for fastening the stud to the sole is still provided, i.e. towards compression against the action of the elastic member 1 and of the elastic bushing 21.

The radial wider part 210 of the supporting stem 10 which forms the radial inner annular abutment shoulder of the elastic member 1 is preferably non round and is inserted into the complementary non round hole of the rigid interposed bushing 31, thereby also allowing to rotate the whole stud 10 or to keep it effectively still by screwing the nut screw. Thanks to the provision of a rigid interposed bushing, particularly made of metal, gripping tools, such as pliers or the like for rotation or hold may be used for tightening the nut screw 61 to fasten the stud to the sole.

The fastening plate 51 can slide freely onto the threaded stem 310 of the supporting member 10 and is fastened by a nut screw 61. The plate may have axial teeth 151 for penetrating the soft material of the shoe sole.

Thanks to this construction, the supporting member forms the stem of a part of the shock absorber, while the assembly composed of the elastic bushing 21, the abutment bushing 31 , the elastic member 1 and the fastening plate 51 forms the elastic member of the shock absorber relative to which the stem can slide under the action of the elastic forces exerted by the two elastic members 1, 21. The provision of two elastic members allows an accurate modulation of the elastic response and of the shock absorbing effect thereon .

With reference to a further variant embodiment, the abutment bushing may have a cylindrical shape, as shown in figures 14 and 17 or a truncated cone shape, as shown in figures 13, 14 and 16, 18.

In a further variant, there may be also provided two superposed elastic members 1 in the form of arched plates or washers which may be made of different materials, e.g. plastic and metal, having different elastic contributions , for instance distributed in different portions of the elastic shock absorbing stroke . Figs. 21 and 22 show a variant embodiment of a possible small abutment and/or shock absorbing elastic bushing . In this case, these small bushings may have separately or each for a part thereof, wings 106 arising therefrom on different sides and oriented in such a manner as to be slightly spaced and parallel or divergent in the same direction. The two wings 106 may, for instance, form a V shape whose vertex coincides with the axis of the small bushings. The wings 106 may also have a slightly arched, helical or similar profile .

In combination with the embodiment relating to the sole according to figures 1 to 12 and /or with the elastic stud according to figures 13 to 22, the invention also relates to a sport shoe or footwear product 11 at least partly provided with shock absorber studs , denoted by numeral 111. The studs may all have shock absorbing features 111 or combinations of studs with and without shock absorbing features may be provided, and particularly studs without shock absorbing features may be at least partly as shown in figures 21 and 22.

In a sport shoe or footwear product according to the invention as shown in figs. 23 to 26, 6 to 12 shock absorber studs 11 may be for instance provided. In both cases , the studs 111 are arranged in the plantar part and in the heel part. In order to compensate for the higher elasticity of the studs 111, the latter are fastened to reinforcing bands 12. The bands 12 may be made of any material, particularly of plastic, metal or other suitable material .

In the plantar part two bands 12 are provided, which cross each other substantially at the center of the plantar part and along which the studs 111 are distributed. This is provided both in the 6-stud and in the 12-stud versions.

In the six-stud version, only two studs 111 are provided in the heel part, oriented along a transverse axis of the shoe and fastened to a transverse reinforcing band 12. In the twelve-stud version, the heel part bears four studs 111 , which are fastened in coincidence with two reinforcing bands 12 , crossing each other like in the plantar part.

With reference to a further improvement, alternately to or preferably in combination with the shock absorber studs 111, the footwear product or shoe may also have particularly rigid stabilizing and gripping studs or elements .

Figs. 23 to 26 particularly show a front and a rear arched gripping ribs , providing a better grip on the ground. The front rib 14 and the rear rib 15 are substantially provided at the two opposite ends of the sole.. In the embodiment as shown in figs. 23 and 24 the arched gripping ribs are oriented with accordant arching curves. The cross section thereof has the shape of a vaguely hook-like tooth, with a relatively inclined front face and a steep rear face.

In the embodiment as shown in figs. 25 and 26, the two gripping ribs 14 and 15 are disposed with facing concave faces and with the convex faces oriented towards the rounded ends of the shoe tip and heel .

A further variant, which may be provided alternatively thereto or in combination therewith consists of at least one longitudinal central rib 16, hereafter named central stabilizing fin. This may have various section and side profile shapes and, in the illustrated embodiment, arises from the central area of the sole before the heel and extends along the heel up to the area of the rear arched gripping rib 15 or of a shock absorber 111 or normal stud. The side profile may be constantly rising or falling in the front to back direction of the shoe or have any other shape . The purpose thereof is to provide the footwear product with transverse stability.

In combination with the central stabilizing fin 16 and/or with the shock absorbing or fixed studs 111, and/or with the arched ribs 14 and 15 or alternatively thereto , the footwear product may have one or preferably two longitudinal stabilizing fins in the intermediate part between the plantar and the heel parts, i.e. the so-called instep. These fins may have, like the central fin 16, several cross section and side profile shapes . The two fins 17 are preferably oriented substantially parallel and in the longitudinal direction of the footwear product. One example of said pairs or stabilizing fins is shown in figures 27 and As is apparent in the figures, the arched ribs 14, 15 and the fins 16 and 17 are preferably all less projecting than the studs 111. Although the provision of these parts is not restricted to the provision of shock absorber studs in the shoe, it is self-evident that the presence of such studs allows to provide further elements such as the ribs 14 and 15 and the fins 16 and 17 without affecting the proper compliance of the footwear product with the functional needs of the human body.

In accordance with a further improvement, the footwear product according to the invention may have, alternatively hereto or in combination herewith at least one ankle-protector tongue 20.

The ankle-protector tongue consists of a core made of a flexible and rigid material, for instance a plastic plate 120 which is coated with the material used for the inner and outer lining of the shoe or with other similar material. Advantageously, the tongue is hinged at its base in such a manner as to allow overturning thereof into an idle position . Overturning may occur either outwardly or inwardly. Preferably, in this case the ankle-protector tongue is overturned towards the inner part of the shoe, into a shoe overlapping position. Advantageously, the shoe has a housing recess in this position. Such a construction may be also provided in the version which overturns outwardly in the idle position, i.e. against the outer side of the shoe. The tongue may be hinged in various manners . Particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, the plate 120 has a part 220 designed for being incorporated and fastened into the shoe upper, and for being connected to the plate which forms the actual ankle-protector tongue by means of a hinge 320 consisting of a weakening line and of a so-called film hinge . The latter may be provided integrally or as an applied part. In the ankle part, the ankle-protector tongue 20 may bear, on its inner and/or outer side, a further rigid and/or relatively flexible screen 22 as shown in fig. 28.

Claims

1. A springing element for footwear soles , characterized in that it consists of at least one member having the form of a small cap or dome, or of an arched washer with a hole at its center, said hole being encircled by a ring of tongues .

2. A springing element as claimed in claim 1 , characterized in that it has the shape of a sector of a sphere or spheroid. 3. A springing element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that it has the shape of a cone or truncated cone or combinations of shapes of cones , truncated cones and/or sectors of a sphere or spheroid.

4. A springing element as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that its height dimensions are greater than its length dimensions , i.e. parallel to the support base .

5. A springing element as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that it is made of an intrinsically elastic material, such as plastic and/or metal .

6. A springing element as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that it has a laminated multilayer composition, or is made of a single homogeneous material .

7. A springing element as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that it has a smaller size as compared with a footwear sole.

8. A springing element as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that its thickness substantially has the same order of magnitude of a sole thickness .

9. A springing element as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that it is provided in combination with a sole, one or more of the members which form the element being arranged in predetermined patterns between two superposed sole layers , an inner and an outer layer .

10. A springing element as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that the springing members are distributed evenly over the surface of the sole or are more concentrated or solely disposed in a few partial areas of the sole, depending on the way stresses are arranged over the surface of the sole . 11. A springing element, characterized in that the springing members are more or only concentrated in the heel or plantar part.

12. A springing element as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that it has a plurality of springing members joined together by a bearing structure .

13. A springing element as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that the springing members are connected so that they form springing elements having an extension equal to the whole sole or only corresponding to a few areas of the sole.

14. A springing element as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it has the form of one or more prefabricated combined springing elements in the form of grids , the springing members being provided in the nodes thereof .

15. A springing element as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that each springing member is formed by superposing two or more different small caps or domes made of different materials or having different characteristics and/or shapes or in that the combined springing elements are formed by superposing combined springing elements provided with a plurality of coincident springing members having different shapes and/or materials and/or characteristics .

16. A springing element as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that, in a combined springing element, the springing members may be equal or different both individually and in groups , as regards material, elastic features and size.

17. A springing element as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is a combined springing element in the form of a grid, with springing members connected by bridges of material in a rhomboidal plan shape.

18. A springing element as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that the rhomboidal shape is substantially symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sole .

19. A springing element as claimed in claim 17 or 18, characterized in that it has transverse, particularly diametral or diagonal connection means , which may have further springing members in intermediate locations .

20. A springing element as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , in combination with a sole with studs , the springing members being arranged in intermediate positions, staggered between adjacent points of attachment for studs to the sole.

21. A footwear sole, characterized in that it comprises one or more of the springing elements or springing members as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 20, which sole is composed of two superposed layers , said springing elements or members being provided between those layers .

22. A sole as claimed in claim 21, characterized in that it has springing elements having a rhomboidal shape, substantially symmetric with respect to the longitudinal axis and associated to the heel part and to the plantar part.

23. A sole as claimed in claims 21 or 22, characterized in that the rhomboidal springing element on the plantar part has a transverse diagonal connection which extends in the proximity of or in the metatarsal region .

24. A sole as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims , characterized in that a plurality of studs are fastened individually or through a support plate to the outer layer, a combined springing element and/or a plurality of individual springing members being provided in coincidence with said stud application area, between the outsole and the insole . 25. A sole as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 21 to 24, characterized in that, in the heel part, the studs or the points of attachment therefor or for the common stud supporting plate are disposed at the vertices of a quadrilateral or other polygon, the springing members being provided along the ideal lines for joining said points of attachment and intermediate between said points of attachment.

26. A sole as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 21 to 25, characterized in that the springing members are arranged along a perimeter which is substantially internal with respect to the points of attachment of the studs and/or of a common plate for supporting them, particularly in the plantar part.

27. A footwear product, particularly a sport footwear product, especially a football footwear product, provided with studs, wherein the sole consists of a combination of two superposed layers , between which one or more springing elements as claimed in one or more of claims 21 to 26 are interposed, the springing elements being provided as claimed in one or more of claims 1 to 20.

28. A stud for sport shoes, comprising a body and an extension for fastening it to a sole or the like, characterized in that the stud body or the means (10, 21, 31, 1) for fastening/anchoring the stud to the sole have elastic shock absorbing means with respect to the soles which are formed by at least an elastic member

(1) according to one or more of the precedding claims 1 to 7. 29. A stud as claimed in claim 28, characterized in that it has two members (10, 31, 51) sliding relative to each other, at least one elastic member (21, 1) being interposed therebetween.

30. A stud as claimed in claim 28 or 29, characterized in that it has a bearing or supporting member (10) with a stem supported in such a manner as to be able to slide relative to a composite element consisting of a single elastic and shock absorbing member or of combinations or layers of rigid, elastic, flexible or shock absorbing members (21, 31, 1, 51) arranged in predetermined orders, possibly acting between identical or different abutments to the supporting member (10) and/or to the sole.

31. A stud as claimed in claim 30 , characterized in that the supporting member (10) of the stud can slide relative to an element composed of alternate rigid (31, 51) and elastic (21, 1) members.

32. A stud as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 28 to 31, characterized in that the stud comprises a shock absorbing elastic member (1) interposed between the stud body (10) and the means (61) for fastening it, e.g. to the sole.

33. A stud as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 28 to 32, characterized in that a further shock absorbing part (21) may consist of the stud body itself, or of a part of the stud body.

34. A stud as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 28 to 33, characterized in that it comprises a rigid member (10) , particularly made of metal, which forms a central core, integral with a supporting end part (110) , and which extends from said end part towards the end (310) whereby the stud is fastened to the sole, said fastening end (310) being fastened in such a manner as to be able to slide axially (51, 61) within a predetermined range relative to a fastening plate (51) and elastic springing and sock absorbing means (21, 1) being provided between said plate (51), sliding along the rigid core (10, 310) and the opposite end (110, 210) of said rigid core (10) - which forms the stud supporting end part.

35. A stud as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 28 to 34, characterized in that said elastic means consist of at least one elastic member in the form of a concave disc or washer (1) , having a hole at its center, whose edge rests against radial abutments (210) of the rigid core (10) , provided in a predetermined intermediate position, whereas the peripheral edge of the elastic member (1) abuts against the associated face of the plate (51) for fastening the stud to the sole, the concave elastic member (1) being turned by its convex side towards the radial abutment/s (210) of the rigid core (10) and the concave side towards the fastening plate (51) .

36. A stud as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 28 to 35, characterized in that the plate (51) is clamped against the sole by means of a nut (61) provided at the threaded end of the rigid core projecting towards the inner side of the sole or of components of said sole . 37. A stud as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 28 to 36, characterized in that, along the peripheral edge of the central hole, the concave elastic member (1) is made in such a manner as to form a ring of separate radial tongues (201) . 38. A stud as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 28 to 37, characterized in that further elastic means (21) , consisting of an elastic bushing interposed between the elastic member (1) and/or the fastening plate (51) and another radial abutment (110) of the rigid core (10) are associated to the first elastic element, i.e. the concave disc.

39. A stud as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 28 to 38, characterized in that the radial abutments of the elastic bushing (21) are provided at the stud supporting end part (110) and the opposite abutment consists once more of the peripheral edge of the plate (51) for fastening the stud to the sole.

40. A stud as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 28 to 39, characterized in that the abutment end of the elastic bushing (21) abuts against the peripheral edge of the plate (51) , laying over the peripheral edge of the concave elastic member (1) .

41. A stud as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 28 to 40, characterized in that the elastic bushing (21) extends over at least part of the distance between the radial abutments at the supporting end part (110) and the plate (51) for fastening the stud to the sole, the remaining part consisting of an interposed bushing made of a rigid material (31) , whose side turned towards the convex side of the concave elastic member (1) forms a chamber (331) for housing it having such shape and size, that the rigid interposed bushing (31) contacts the concave elastic member disc (1) only along the peripheral edge abutting against the fastening plate (51) , and has a central hole (131) in the central part for the passage of the rigid core (10) which projects inside the chamber for housing the concave elastic member (1) with the radial abutments (210) for said concave elastic member.

42. A stud as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 28 to 41, characterized in that, in the chamber (331) of the rigid bushing (31) , the concave elastic member (1) only contacts the radial abutments (210) of the rigid core (10) and is clamped at its periphery between the plate (51) and the peripheral edge of the rigid interposed bushing (31) said chamber being completely closed externally, whereas the part of the rigid core (210) between the interposed bushing (31) and the supporting end part (110) is closed externally by the elastic bushing (21) .

43. A stud as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 28 to 42, characterized in that the associated radial abutments (210) of the concave elastic member (1) on the rigid core (10) consist of the end side of a radial wider part of the rigid core, having a predetermined axial length and preferably a non round shape, which pass through a complementary central hole (131) , also preferably non round, of the rigid interposed bushing (31) .

44. A stud as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 28 to 45, characterized in that the elastic bushing (21) which forms the second elastic shock absorbing means possibly combined with the rigid interposed bushing (31) , is made from an elastic material, particularly profiled, for instance, with a skirt side having a concave shape or a bellows shape, whose folds or turns are circular or helical like in a screw. 46. A sport shoe or footwear product characterized in that it comprises a sole which bears at least one, preferably more shock absorber studs (111) according to one or more of the claims 28 to 45 and /or a sole according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 27.

47. A shoe as claimed in claim 46, characterized in that the shock absorber studs are as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 17.

48. A sport shoe or footwear product according to one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 27 and/or to claims 46 or 47, characterized in that the sole has reinforcements (12) in the points of attachment of one or more studs (111) , which may also extend over several studs (111) depending on the arrangement of studs (111) .

49. A shoe as claimed in claim 48, characterized in that, for a traditional arrangement, two crossed bands (12) for elastically reinforcing the sole and a transverse band (12) are provided in the plantar part and/or in the heel part respectively, or two crossed reinforcing bands (12) are also provided on the heel.

50. A shoe as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 48 or 49, characterized in that the sole may also have, separately from or in combination with the elastic studs , further fixed stabilizing elements , such as studs having no shock absorbing feature and other elements projecting from the sole (14, 15, 16, 17) .

51. A shoe as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 48 to 50, characterized in that it has , alternatively thereto or in combination therewith , at least one arched rib (14, 15) in the front and/or in the rear part of the sole .

52. A shoe as claimed in claim 51 , characterized in that the arched rib at the tip (15) follows a curve which substantially corresponds to the one of the shoe tip.

53. A shoe as claimed in claims 51 or 52, characterized in that the arched ribs (14, 15) of the tip and of the heel are oriented with the concave sides opposite to each other or turned towards the same end of the shoe, i.e. the heel and/or the tip.

54. A shoe as claimed in one or more of claims 51 to 53, characterized in that the arched ribs (14, 15) have a saw tooth cross section, possible also curved in a hook-like way.

55. A shoe as claimed in one or more of claims 51 to 54, characterized in that, separately from or in combination with the arched ribs (14, 15), in the central part of the heel and/or even in other parts , there may be provided one or more fins (16, 17) for transversely stabilizing the shoe, extending in the longitudinal direction of the shoe .

56. A shoe as claimed in claim 55, characterized in that, in the heel part, the sole has a central stabilizing fin (16) which comes up with an inclined edge from a substantially median point of the sole, and rises in projection towards the heel part wherein, depending on the arrangement of studs (11) and/or of arched ribs (15) it terminates in any intermediate position between studs , or abuts against a central stud like a stationary lead-in fin towards said stud (11) or against the arched rib (15) .

57. A shoe as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 48 to 56, characterized in that, alternatively to or in combination with a central fin (16) there may be also provided two side fins (17) , for instance on the two longitudinal sides of the sole in an intermediate position between the heel and plantar parts.

58. A shoe as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 48 to 57, characterized in that the central and side stabilizing fins (16, 17) and the arched ribs (14, 15) have projections which are typically and preferably lower than those of studs (111) .

59. A sport shoe or footwear product characterized in that, alternatively to or in combination with the characteristics of one or more of the preceding claims 48 to 58, the shoe has ankle protectors (20) hinged thereto and made of a substantially rigid, flexible and suitably lined material .

60. A shoe as claimed in claim 59, characterized in that the ankle protectors advantageously consists of two fold-over tongues , overturning from an operating ankle covering position to an idle rest position preferably inside the shoe , over the upper .

61. A shoe as claimed in claim 60 , characterized in that corresponding recesses for housing the ankle protecting tongue/s are formed in the wall of the upper .

62. A shoe as claimed in one or more of claims 59 to 61 , characterized in that the rigid and flexible element is made of plastic and consists of two parts, one integral with the shoe and the other with the ankle protecting tongue , the two parts being connected by a hinge consisting of a weaker part or of a film hinge.

63. A sole for a footwear as claimed in claim 21 to 26, characterized in that one of the two sole layers (102, 202) between which the springing element (1, 3, 3') is interposed is formed by the lasting sock.

64. A sole according to claims 21 to 25, characterized in that one of the two sole layers (102, 202) between which the springing element (1, 3, 3') is interposed is formed by the removable insole .

65. A sole according to one or more of the preceding claims 21 to 25 Or 63 or 64, characterized in that at least one of the two sole layer (102, 202) has recesses coinciding at least with one corresponding elastic member (1) and having a depths for partially containing the said elastic member (1) , particularly for partially housing the arched portion of the elastic members (1) .