WO2008018733A1

WO2008018733A1 - Footwear having auxiliary sole and mid sole formed with supporting projections

Info

Publication number: WO2008018733A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/003779
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ki-Ho Ha
Original assignee: Shin Kyung Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2006-08-07
Filing date: 2007-08-06
Publication date: 2008-02-14

Abstract

Footwear includes a mid-sole attached on an upper surface of an auxiliary sole which is attached on an upper surface of an outsole and supporting projections protruding from a lower surface of the auxiliary sole. The footwear includes the auxiliary sole shaped like the outsole and attached to the upper surface of the outsole, and the mid-sole shaped like the auxiliary sole, attached on an upper surface of the auxiliary sole, and having supporting projections protruding from a lower surface of the mid-sole.

Description

FOOTWEAR HAVING AUXILIARY SOLE AND MID-SOLE FORMED WITH SUPPORTING PROJECTIONS

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to footwear having an auxiliary sole and a mid-sole formed with supporting projections, and more particularly to footwear having an auxiliary sole and a mid-sole formed with supporting projections, in which the mid- sole has supporting projections protruding from a lower surface of the mid-sole and attaching to an upper surface of the auxiliary sole, so that shock can be efficiently absorbed together with an outsole. Further, the supporting projections are not directly pressured on the outsole, so that absorbing shock is continuously maintained for many hours. Background Art

[2] As humans have developed from ancient times to now, food, clothing and shelter culture have been undetachably developed in line with the development of humans. Among them, the clothing culture of a direct culture element for protecting a human body from a nature environment through being put on, has been developed while fastest responding and adapting to the environment.

[3] Further, the foot of human body is a part which is in contact with the ground for the longest amount of time, and footwear functions to protect the foot in the clothing culture. Footwear includes uppers enclosing the entire top of the foot and flooring material coupled with a lower surface of the uppers and protecting the sole of the foot. The flooring material has a triple structure in which an outsole, a mid-sole, and in insole are formed. The description of the respective components is as follows.

[4] In general, the outsole of footwear is a part directly in contact with the ground, and is made of a material having the hardness of a predetermined degree, well resistant to friction, and thick.

[5] Further, the mid-sole is attached to the upper surface of the outsole, and the uppers are interposed between the outsole and the mid-sole, so as to function of fixing the uppers to the flooring material. The thickness of mid-sole is manufactured to be slimmer than that of the common outsole. However, in order to provide cushioning so as not to lay a burden on the foot, the mid- sole is manufactured to have a proper thickness depending on the usage of footwear.

[6] Furthermore, the insole is the flooring material which is directly in contact with the sole of the foot, and is attached to an upper surface of the mid-sole. The insole functions for absorbing shock in the first place which is transferred to the sole of the foot, and thus the insole is made of a cushion member, or the like, having sufficient cushioning.

[7] Therefore, one side of an end of the uppers is inserted between the outsole and the mid-sole, and then the contacted outsole and mid-sole is adhered to each other, so that the mid-sole, a component of the flooring material, is used for a means for preventing the uppers from being separated.

[8] Even though, in a structure of footwear having the above-described configuration, the outsole partially absorbs shock transferred from the ground to the sole of the foot, the absorbed whole shock is transferred to the foot so that the foot feels the burden. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[9] The present invention has been made in order to overcome the problems of the conventional footwear, and an object of the present invention is to provide footwear in which shock transferred from the ground is not transferred through an entire mid-sole, but is spread to a plurality of certain parts, such as projections, so that not only the mid-sole has an improved force of attachment to an outsole, which enhance the stability of the location of the mid-sole, but also correction of legs of a wearer together with an improved safety can be achieved. Technical Solution

[10] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided footwear having an auxiliary sole and a mid-sole formed with supporting projections in which the auxiliary sole is attached to an upper surface of an outsole of footwear, and the mid-sole having supporting projections on the lower surface of the mid-sole is attached to the upper surface of the auxiliary sole.

Advantageous Effects

[11] In the footwear according to the present invention, not only the mid-sole has an improved force of attachment to an outsole, which enhances the stability of the location of the mid-sole, but also correction of legs of a wearer can be achieved. Further, the footwear according to the present invention simultaneously improves safety of the footwear which safely protects the sole of the foot from external danger applied through the outsole.

[12] Further, the supporting projections are not directly pressured on the outsole so that a function of absorbing shock is continuously maintained for long hours. Brief Description of the Drawings

[13] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [14] FIG. IA is a perspective view illustrating protruding supporting projections;

[15] FIG. IB is a perspective view illustrating a mid-sole supporter extending through a rear end of a lower surface of a mid-sole body up to a central part;

[16] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a partial cross-sectional view of footwear;

[17] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the - direction of FIG. 2;

[18] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the IV-IV direction of FIG. 2;

[19] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an outsole and a lower surface of the mid- sole of footwear according to the present invention;

[20] FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating a supporting projection of footwear according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[21] FIG. 6B is a perspective view illustrating a supporting projection of footwear according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[22] FIG. 6C is a perspective view illustrating a supporting projection of footwear according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[23] FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating footwear having an auxiliary sole and a mid- sole formed with supporting projections according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

[24] FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating footwear having an auxiliary sole integrally formed with a metal platform inside of the auxiliary sole according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[25] Footwear having a flooring material includes an outsole coupled with uppers, and a mid- sole including a mid- sole body and a plurality of supporting projections, wherein the mid-sole body is shaped like a sole of a foot, and is attached to an upper surface of the outsole, and the supporting projections protrude from a lower surface of the mid- sole body. The detailed description is as follows.

[26] The outsole of footwear of the present invention is assembled with the mid-sole on the upper surface of the outsole and supports the mid-sole. Specifically, pressure parts are concavely formed on the upper surface of the outsole, and the mid-sole is attached to the upper surface of the outsole so that the supporting projections formed on a lower surface of the mid-sole body are supported while being disposed on the corresponding pressure parts. Therefore, shock to the foot transferred to the mid-sole is not transferred through an entire lower surface of the mid-sole but spread to several specific parts, so that not only the attachment of the mid-sole with respect to the outsole is improved so as to enhance the stability of the location but also the load is dispersed through the several specific parts, so as to improve an efficiency of absorbing shock of the outsole. [27] The mid-sole body of footwear has a shape identical to that of the outsole of footwear, i.e., similar with an external shape of the sole of the foot, and mainly determines a general shape of footwear together with the outsole. The mid-sole body should have the hardness of a certain degree. However, the mid-sole body also should be manufactured considering flexibility in order to guarantee activity of footwear.

[28] However, if the mid-sole body is manufactured only considering flexibility, the mid-sole body is short of the hardness so that the mid-sole is bent along with footwear when walking. Also, the foot is bent together with the mid-sole, so as to cause pain. Accordingly, in order to reinforce the hardness, a mid-sole supporter preferably protrudes from a central part in a width direction of the lower surface of the mid-sole body and extends in a longitudinal direction from a rear end up to the central part of the mid-sole body.

[29] Further, if the supporting projections are made of too flexible material, the supporting projections may be compressed and bent when they are attached to the upper surface of the outsole. Then, the supporting projections cannot be fitly and forcedly inserted into the outsole, so that the attachment of the mid-sole to the outsole is degraded. Accordingly, it is preferred that the supporting projections have a hardness of the certain degree.

[30] The supporting projections protrude from certain regions of the lower surface of the mid-sole body. For example, the heights of the supporting projections protrude to be gradually increased from an inner side to an outer side over an entire lower surface of the mid-sole body. As shown in FIG. 4, when the mid-sole is attached on the outsole, the inner side of footwear is higher than the outer side so that legs of the wearer are inwardly put together so as to correct bowed legs.

[31] At this time, when referring to the sole of the right foot, the inner side defines a position of the lower surface of the mid-sole which corresponds to a left side in a width direction of the sole of the foot having an arch when the mid-sole is in contact with the sole of the foot, and the outer side defines a position of the lower surface of the mid- sole which corresponds to a right side in a width direction of the sole of the foot. When referring to the sole of the left foot, the respective positions are applied oppositely.

[32] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, footwear having a flooring material includes an outsole coupled with uppers, a mid-sole including a plurality of supporting projections, and an auxiliary sole shaped like the outsole and attached to an upper surface of the outsole, wherein the mid-sole is shaped like the auxiliary sole, and is attached to an upper surface of the auxiliary sole, and the supporting projections protrude from a lower surface of the mid-sole. The detailed description thereof is as follows.

[33] The auxiliary sole of footwear according to another exemplary embodiment is inserted between the outsole and the mid-sole of common footwear so as to be attached to the upper surface of the outsole. The external shape of the auxiliary sole is similarly shaped like that of the outsole. Shock transferred through the supporting projections of the mid-sole is not directly transferred to the outsole but is transferred to the auxiliary sole in the first place, so that indirect shock is transferred to the outsole.

[34] Here, it is preferred that if the auxiliary sole is made of material which does not allow shock applied by the supporting projections of the mid- sole directly to transfer to the outsole. However, if the auxiliary sole is formed with a metal platform having a predetermined thickness inside of the auxiliary sole, the sole of the foot can be safely protected from external danger applied through the outsole so as to simultaneously improve safety of the footwear.

[35] Further, if the auxiliary sole has a magnetic panel having magnetic force of an appropriate degree inside of the auxiliary sole, gravity is influenced by the magnetic force formed between the metal platform and the magnetic panel. Therefore, in a situation where one works on a metal platform in order to manufacture a vessel in a shipyard, a worker wearing the footwear of the present invention can safely work without slipping on the metal platform having a slippery surface.

[36] The mid-sole according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention is attached to the upper surface of the auxiliary sole which is in contact with and attached to the upper surface of the outsole so that shock to the foot transferred to the mid- sole is transferred through an entire upper surface of the auxiliary sole in the lower surface of the mid-sole, the supporting projections are not directly pressured to the outsole, thereby continuously absorbing shock for long hours.

[37] Furthermore, the supporting projections formed on the lower surface of the mid- sole body can be manufactured in various shapes, such as a cone shape, a quadrangular pyramid shape, a dumbbell shape, or the like.

[38] The outsole of footwear is made of material, including hard polyvinyl chloride

(PVC), or the like, so that the mid-sole body tends to be somewhat slippery. Therefore, in order to prevent slipperiness and improve tactile sensation of a floor surface when wearing the footwear, it would be good that non- woven fabric or the like is attached on a lower surface of the mid- sole body other than the upper surface of the mid- sole body and the supporting projections.

[39] Hereinafter, the exemplary embodiment of footwear having the auxiliary sole and the mid-sole formed with the supporting projections will be described with reference to the accompanied drawings.

[40] FIG. IA is a perspective view illustrating protruding supporting projections, FIG.

IB is a perspective view illustrating the mid-sole supporter extending through a rear end of the lower surface of the mid-sole body up to a central part, FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a partial cross-sectional view of footwear, FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the Hi-Ill direction of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the IV-IV direction of FIG. 2.

[41] Referring to FIGs. IA to 4, the mid-sole 1 of footwear is attached to the upper surface of the outsole 2 so that the supporting projections 20 protruding from the lower surface of the mid- sole body 10 are supported while being disposed in the corresponding pressure parts P. Therefore, shock to the foot transferred to the mid-sole 1 is not transferred through the entire lower surface of the mid-sole 1 but spread to several specific parts so that not only the attachment of the mid-sole 1 with respect to the outsole 2 is improved, so as to enhance the stability of the location, but also the load is dispersed through the several specific parts so as to improve the efficiency of absorbing shock of the outsole 2.

[42] Further, the supporting projections 20 protrude from certain regions of the lower surface of the mid-sole body 10. For example, the heights of the supporting projections protrude to be gradually increased from the inner surface to the outer surface over the entire lower surface of the mid-sole body 10. As shown in FIG. 4, when the mid-sole 1 is attached on the outsole 2, the inner side of footwear is higher than the outer side so that legs of the wearer are inwardly put together so as to correct bowed legs.

[43] FIG. 6A is a perspective view illustrating a supporting projection of footwear according to a first exemplary embodiment, FIG. 6B is a perspective view illustrating a supporting projection of footwear according to a second exemplary embodiment, and FIG. 6C is a perspective view illustrating a supporting projection of footwear according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[44] AS shown in FIGs. 6 A to 6C, the supporting projections 20 formed on the lower surface of the mid- sole body 10 can be manufactured in various shapes, such as a cone shape 20a, a quadrangular pyramid shape 10b, a dumbbell shape 20c, or the like.

[45] FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating footwear having the auxiliary sole and the mid- sole formed with supporting projections according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating footwear having the auxiliary sole integrally formed with the metal platform inside of the auxiliary sole according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[46] Referring to FIGs. 7 and 8, the footwear includes the auxiliary sole 4 shaped like the outsole 2 and attached to the upper surface of the outsole 2, and the mid-sole 1 shaped like the auxiliary sole 4, attached to the upper surface of the auxiliary sole 4, and having supporting projections 20 protruding from the lower surface of the mid- sole 1.

[47] Further, the auxiliary sole 4 supports the supporting projections which are in contact with the upper surface of the auxiliary sole and pressure the upper surface, and thus the auxiliary sole is preferably made of materials which have the hardness more than the mid-sole 2. Further, it will do that the auxiliary sole is made of a material which does not directly transfer shock transferred by the supporting projections 20 of the mid-sole 1 to the outsole 2. However, if the auxiliary sole 4 has the metal platform 41 having a predetermined thickness therein, it can safely protect the sole of the foot from external risks, such as a sharp screw applied through the outsole 2, so as to simultaneously improve safety of the footwear. [48] Although several exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.

Claims

[1] A footwear having a flooring material, the footwear comprising: an outsole coupled with uppers; and a mid-sole comprising a mid-sole body and a plurality of supporting projections, wherein the mid- sole body is shaped like a sole of a foot and is attached to an upper surface of the outsole, and the supporting projections protrude from a lower surface of the mid-sole body.

[2] A footwear having a flooring material, the footwear comprising: an outsole coupled with uppers; a mid-sole comprising a plurality of supporting projections; and an auxiliary sole shaped like the outsole and attached to an upper surface of the outsole, wherein the mid-sole is shaped like the auxiliary sole and is attached to an upper surface of the auxiliary sole, and the supporting projections protrude from a lower surface of the mid-sole.

[3] The footwear according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mid-sole comprises a mid- sole supporter protruding from a central part in a width direction of the lower surface of the mid- sole body and extending in a longitudinal direction from a rear end up to the central part of the mid-sole body.

[4] The footwear according to claim 1 or 2, wherein heights of the supporting projections are gradually increased from an inner side to an outer side over an entire lower surface of the mid-sole body.

[5] The footwear according to claim 1 or 2, wherein plurality of pressure parts are formed on the upper surface of the outsole in order for disposing the supporting projections the pressure parts.

[6] The footwear according to claim 2, wherein the auxiliary sole is integrally formed with a metal platform shaped like a sole of the foot inside the auxiliary sole.

[7] The footwear according to claim 6, wherein the metal platform includes a magnetic material.