MXPA04012222A - Outsole. - Google Patents

Abstract

The outsole (1, 3), particularly for sports shoes (2), can be provided with a high degree of elastic deformability in a tangential direction thereby achieving a good cushioning even when the shoe strikes the ground with a slanted and somewhat sliding impact. The invention provides that the outsole (1), beyond at least one critical deformation in the area deformed thus far, is, however, essentially stiff with regard to tangential deformation. This provides the runner with a more sure footing on the respective impact or loading point. The runner can push off once again from the loading point also without losing ground. A floating effect on the sole is thus prevented. The sole can, as a whole or in several parts, also be detachably fastened to a middle sole (4) of the shoe (2).

Description

1 SOLE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a sole, in particular for athletic shoes, which can also deform elastically in the tangential direction.

In this context, the term deformation in the tangential direction refers to a deformation in the direction tangential to or parallel to the plane of the sole or its outer surface which, for example, is caused by shear stress. This deformation is different from a deformation in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the sole or its outer surface which, for example, is caused by compression. On a horizontal surface, the tangential direction coincides approximately with the horizontal direction, and the perpendicular direction approximately coincides with the vertical direction.

PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE The soles that stretch elastically are known in numerous variations, in which different elastic materials of various hardness are used. There are also soles with inserted air or gel cushions. These cushions are designed to elastically absorb the blows that occur while running and in this way to protect, in particular, the 2 Runner's joints while simultaneously providing a comfortable running experience.

Most of the athletic shoes currently available in the market have spring characteristics that mainly provide a spring effect in the vertical direction or in the direction perpendicular to the running surface, so-called in the form of a compression of the sole. However, these soles are relatively rigid in the horizontal or tangential direction and do not relax enough if the foot of the corridor makes contact with the ground obliquely and with a slight propulsive force. This rigidity in the horizontal or tangential direction is required since a more significant deformation capacity of the sole in the horizontal direction could inevitably result in a buoyancy effect. This could negatively influence the stability of the broker. In addition, the runner would lose at least some distance with each step since the sole initially would have to deform slightly in the opposite direction when the runner pushed and moved away in the direction of the run. Naturally, this floating effect can already be observed in known athletic shoes to a certain degree.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is based on the objective of describing a sole with a simple design that makes it possible to eliminate the float effect described above and that can also be made sufficiently soft and elastic in the tangential direction. 3 This objective is achieved with a sole which can also deform in the tangential direction and is characterized by the fact that essentially it is only rigid to a tangential deformation beyond at least one critical point of deformation in the region in which it is formed. deforms to this critical point.

If the at least one critical point of deformation and the load exerted on the sole required to reach this critical point of deformation are suitably selected when adjusting the hardness or elasticity of the sole accordingly, the sole according to the invention can be achieved from such that it is also smooth and elastic tangentially over a wide range of deformations, and that the critical point of deformation is only reached to a locally limited degree while running, call it in the area of the sole that is subjected to the maximum load , and only around the moment in which this maximum load occurs.

This not only results in a sufficient shock absorption if the runner's foot makes contact with the ground obliquely and / or with a slight propulsive force, but also a superior stability at the point of impact or application of respective load, which the runner is able to push and move away directly again without any loss in distance. The flotation effect described above is thus avoided.

It goes without saying that the critical point of deformation, at which the tangential deformation capacity of the sole according to the invention ends, depends on the type of deformation. The deformation does not necessarily have to occur exclusively in the tangential direction. A critical deformation can also be achieved during a simply vertical or perpendicular deformation.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the deformation critical point is only reached after a tangential and / or perpendicular deformation path that is greater than 20% of the deformable thickness of the sole, if applicable, even greater than 50% of this thickness. The absolute deformation value can easily reach a few centimeters.

With respect to construction considerations and the materials used, the sole according to the invention can, in principle, be achieved in different ways. Various embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. The following description only refers to those embodiments in which, for example, two layers of the sole are separated, in particular, by an elastically deformable element, and in which the deformable element has a sufficient deformability and makes it possible to achieve a frictional, non-positive and / or positive coupling between the two layers, be called while essentially preventing the two layers from being displaced parallel to each other.

In a further development of the invention, the sole can be provided with means for releasable attachment to an intermediate sole of a shoe. If the sole is executed as multi-part in this case, the individual parts can be joined independently of one another and / or, for example, in case of wear, can be exchanged individually. In this situation, the differently constructed parts may also be made available and / or individual designs may be produced which are specially adapted to the respective needs and running style of the individual runner. 5 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the figures. The figures show: Figure 1 shows a side view of an athletic shoe with a sole according to a first embodiment of the invention, call a) while not being subjected to a load, b) while being subjected to a load transversely forward and c) while pushing and pushing away.

Figure 2 shows a rear view of the athletic shoe shown in Figure 1, for example a) while not being subjected to a load and b) while being subjected to a laterally oblique load.

Figure 3 illustrates detailed representations of the hollow elements of the sole shown in Figure 1, "for example a) while not being subjected to a load, b) while being subjected to a load transversely to forward and c) while it is being subjected to a vertical load.

Figure 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a sole according to the invention comprising tubular hollow elements between the two layers, for example a) while not being subjected to a load and b) while being subjected to a load transversely forward.

Figure 5 is a side view of a sole embodiment according to the invention that is divided into a ball section and a heel section, and comprising two layers that are connected to one another by means of deformable tapes, example a) while not being subjected to a load and b) while being subjected to a load transversely forward.

Figure 6 shows a sole according to the invention with a closed volume that is filled with a medium.

Figure 7 is a partially sectioned representation of an additional sole according to the invention, which is provided with a dentition.

Figure 8 shows the sports shoe of figure 1, wherein according to a further development of the invention, parts of the sole are or can be detachably fixed to an intermediate sole.

Figure 9 shows the sports shoe of figure 8 seen from behind under a) and b) with several numbers of sole portions attached releasably adjacent one another.

Figure 10 shows a hollow element for a sole according to the invention slightly modified in comparison with the hollow elements of figure 3.

Figure 11 is a further embodiment of an individual sole element for a sole according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the invention is described initially below with reference to Figure 1. Although this embodiment does not necessarily represent the most preferred embodiment of the invention, it is sufficient to explain the essential features of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a running shoe 2 which is equipped with a sole 1 according to the invention. The sole 1 is formed by a plurality of hollow profile-like elements 3 containing tubular parts 3.1 and fixed to the underside of an intermediate sole 4 of the running shoe 1 with tapes 3.2 which are integrally formed thereon, for example, by means of union. The hollow elements 3 are, for example, made from a rubber material that is capable of at least partially deforming in an elastic form under the loads that occur while running. The material preferably has a high static friction with respect to other materials, but also with respect to itself. Several hollow elements 3 are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the running shoe 2, where a space remains in the region between the ball and the heel. The hollow elements 3 can extend respectively over the full width of the running shoe 2. However, it can also be conceived to arrange two or more hollow elements 3 laterally adjacent to each other as shown in figure 2.

For example, if the running shoe 2 is subjected to a load transversely forward when it makes contact with the ground as illustrated by the arrow P l in Figure 1 b), the tubular parts 3.1 are, if their dimensions are properly selected. , compressed completely after an initial elastic absorption of the load in the form of a vertical and horizontal deformation. This leads to a frictional coupling between its upper cover 3.1.1 and its lower cover 3.1.2 (see figure 3). This frictional coupling generates such high resistance to additional deformation of the tubular parts 3.1 that they can practically only be further deformed by the remaining elasticity of the tubular parts. material, that is, to an insignificant degree. In this position and in this condition of the sole 1, the runner is in contact with the ground 5 in such a way that a horizontal displacement can practically no longer take place. This means that the runner has superior stability.

In addition, the runner is able to push and move away from the position shown in figure 2 for the next step as illustrated in figure 1 c) without any loss of distance, be called because the friction coupling described above between the parts Tubular 3.1 practically makes it impossible for these parts to deform horizontally to a notorious degree in the direction of the load that occurs while pushing and is indicated by the arrow P2. Naturally, a prerequisite for this is that the load exerted on the deformed region of the sole remains between the time the foot makes contact with the ground and the moment when the runner pushes and moves away again. However, this is normally the case when running normally.

Figure 2 shows the running shoe 2 according to figure 1 in the form of a rear view, for example while a) is not being subjected to a load and b) while being subjected to a laterally oblique load. In this case, a compression of the tubular parts 3.1 of the hollow elements 3 can also take place in such a way that a frictional coupling between their upper covers occurs. 3.1.1 and its inner covers 3.1.2. This means that the runner using the running shoe 2 is in contact with the floor 5 in such a way that lateral stability is practically not relaxing.

The modality described above is characterized by extremely long deformation trajectories. Between the state shown in Fig. 1 a) in which no load is exerted on the sole and the state shown in Fig. 1 b) in which frictional engagement occurs, these deformation trajectories can easily equate to more of 20%, if applicable, even more than 50%. The shoe shown in figures 1 and 2 causes the runner to "float on the clouds", but the runner never has an unstable feeling and is always directly and solidly in contact with the ground.

Figure 3 shows a detailed representation of the hollow elements 3 according to Figure 1, for example while a) they are not being subjected to a load and b) while they are being subjected to a tangential load. A deformation under a load acting vertically downwards is shown in part c) of this figure. This part details how the advantages previously described with respect to the stability of the runner and the ability of the runner to push and move away without any loss in distance are also achieved under a purely vertical load.

The sole 6 shown in Figure 4 also comprises tubular hollow elements 6.1 which, for example, consist of a rubber material. However, the hollow elements are arranged between an upper layer 6.2 and a lower layer 6.3 in this case, and rigidly connected to the respective layers. The two layers 6.2 and 6.3 extend over the entire surface of the sole. The upper layer 6.2 can, in principle, be formed by a layer that is provided in any way or by an intermediate layer of the shoe. The lower layer 6.3 can also be provided with a profile. The function of the sole 6 shown in Figure 4 while a) is not being subjected to a load is basically identical to that of the sole 1 described above with reference to Figure 2. When the tubular hollow elements 6. 1 are compressed, a frictional coupling between its upper cover and its lower cover is, in particular, also produced in this case as shown in part b) of Figure 4. The deformation 10 of the hollow elements 6.1 under a load is, however, distributed over a larger area due to the pushing effect exerted by the lower layer 6.3.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, two separate parts 7.1 and 7.2 are respectively provided for the ball region and the heel region of the sole 7. In principle, it would also be conceivable to carry out this separate design in the other embodiments described. In addition, simple tapes 7. 1.3 and 7.2.3 that can be elastically deformed are disposed between the respective upper layers 7.1.2 and 7.2.1 and the respective lower layers 7.2.1 and 7.2.2. Under a load, these tapes lie flatly between the two outer layers as, for example, illustrated in part b) of Figure 5. If a material with a high coefficient of friction is used for the outer layers and tapes, a Friction coupling similar to that described above occurs in the situation shown in Figure 5 b). This means that the upper and lower layers assume part of the function of the upper and lower covers described above of the tubular parts shown in Figure 1. The function of the ribbons, in contrast, is approximately identical to that of the flanks of the ribs. tubular parts. Two of these flanks that are disposed opposite one another are identified with reference symbols 3.1.3 and 3.1.4 in Figure 3.

In the sole 8 shown in Figure 6, elastic elements are not provided between a top layer 8.1 and a bottom layer 8.2. The upper layer and the lower layer are connected by peripheral side elements 8.3 in such a way that a closed volume 8.4 is formed. This closed volume is filled with a fluid, in particular, a gas such as air or, for example, a gel. In this case, it is important that the sole be deformed under the loads that occur while running to a degree such that, as shown in part b), the upper layer 8.1 and the lower layer 8.2 can make contact with each other in the region subject to the. load. 11 A frictional coupling with the properties described above also occurs in this case if a material with a high coefficient of friction is selected for both layers.

If a non-compressible gel is used as the means for filling the volume 8.4, the entire volume or parts thereof must be elastically expandable to achieve the desired effect. If the volume 8.4 is filled with a gas, it would be possible to provide an additional valve 8.5, for example, in the heel region. The elastic properties and elasticity of the sole could then be changed by varying the gas pressure to adapt the sole to, for example, the weight or running characteristics of a specific runner.

Instead of producing a friction coupling as in the embodiments described above, it would be possible to produce as an alternative or additionally produce a positive coupling as shown in the partially illustrated sole 9 according to Figure 7. In this case, a dentition is, for example, arranged between a top layer 9.1 and a bottom layer 9.2.

According to a further development of the invention, the sole can be provided with means that allow it to be detachably fixed to an intermediate sole of the shoe. The sole can in this case be detachably fixed as a whole, in parts or also simply with reference to individual parts. Figure 8 shows a running shoe 2 in which the sole complete 1, but in individual parts, is detachably attached to an intermediate sole 4 of the running shoe 2. In this case, as in the example of figure 1, the sole 1 is formed by a plurality of hollow profile-shaped elements 3 which have tubular sections 3. 1 and are detachably attached to the underside of the midsole 4 with molded tapes 3.2 or are only provided 12 to be detachably attached to the underside of the midsole 4 with reference to the hollow elements arranged in the ball area. As can clearly be seen from the enlarged section A in figure 8, a so-called hook and loop fastener 10 which can be attached many times and can be peeled off again, is used as the fixing means, wherein the tapes 3.2 of the elements Holes 3 are provided with the layer 10.1 of the hook and loop fastener which is constructed as a hook. Accordingly, the midsole 4 is provided with the complementary layer 10.2 of the hook-and-loop fastener 10, ie, constructed in the form of a loop, preferably over the entire area. The two layers of the hook and loop fastener can each be fixedly fixed to the hollow elements on one side and to the intermediate sole on the other.

The removable attachment has the advantage that if necessary, the sole according to the invention can only be attached to the midsole as required, for example, directly before and for a training run, and the shoe may otherwise also used without this sole. This particularly makes sense when the sole according to the invention is provided to achieve long spring deflections, for example, with relatively bulky hollow elements. To protect the midsole and loop layer of the hook and loop fastener preferably attached thereto, in this case an alternately removable protective layer may also be provided by hook and loop fastener, which however is not shown here.

The removable attachment on the other side has the advantage that a used sole can be replaced with a new one. In the case of a multi-part structure of the sole as in the example of FIG. 8, the individual parts can also be interchanged with, for example, non-uniform wear of the sole caused by an individual run style of each The broker can also be taken into account. Without 13 embargo, in this case each runner could make his own sole with optimal shock absorption properties for him or her, for example, by a special arrangement of the individual parts. As an example of this, Figure 9 shows the running shoe of Figure 8 in two views from behind in which a) eb) respectively two and three rows of hollow elements 3 are arranged adjacent to one another in the area of the heel. For an individual configuration of the sole according to the invention, however, differently constructed parts with different properties can be made available by the manufacturer. As an example of this, FIG. 8 shows a hollow element 3 'arranged in the main loading area of the sole, which is provided with a larger wall thickness and as a result, for example, is a bit stiffer with with respect to the deformation that the remaining hollow elements.

Figure 10 also shows a hollow element 3"a modified ply in comparison with the hollow elements of figure 3 for a sole according to the invention, wherein this hollow element 3" is provided with a flat base surface. In addition, the wall thickness of the element is not constructed as the same throughout. It has been shown that with the illustrated shape, an even better feeling of standing and improved thrust from the point of contact can be achieved.

Finally, Figure 1 1 shows a schematic diagram of a further embodiment of an individual sole element 1 1 for a sole according to the invention having a tubular section vertically oriented instead of horizontal.

With respect to the modalities described above, it should be noted that the individual elements or characteristics of the same, if applicable, may also be used in combination with other 14 modalities. For example, this applies to the division of the sole into a ball section and a heel section, as well as to the layout of a profile. Friction coupling means and positive coupling means can be used individually or in combination. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 or 5 could be combined with the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, wherein an elastic and / or shock absorbing fluid or medium could be introduced into corresponding hollow spaces in the embodiments according to FIG. 4 or 5. Conversely, mechanical spring elements or shock absorbing elements can be further provided in Figure 6. In the additional embodiment of the invention in which the sole according to the invention can be releasably attached as a whole or at least parts of it, to an intermediate sole, instead of a hook and loop fastener with a hook-shaped layer a loop-shaped or felt-shaped layer, a hook-and-loop fastener with two layers in the shape of Hooks adapted to one another can also be used where this hook and loop fastener has a higher adhesive strength. The detachable connection can alternatively also be made using a special adhesive and re-peel off. 15 LIST PE REFERENCE SYMBOLS Sole Running shoe ', 3"Hollow elements Tubular parts of hollow elements 3 Ribbons of hollow elements 3 1 Upper cover of tubular parts 3.1 Lower cover of tubular parts 3.1, 4.1.1 Flanges of tubular parts 3.1 Midsole Sole Sole Tubular hollow elements of sole 6 Upper layer of sole 6 Sole bottom layer 6 Sole Sole ball section 7 Sole heel section 7 16 7. 1.1, 7.2.1 Top layer of sole sections soles 7.1 and 7.2 7.2.1, 7.2.2 Bottom layer of sole sections 7.1 and 7.2 7.1.3, 7.2.3 Deformable tapes 8 Sole 8.1 Upper layer of sole 8 8.2 Bottom layer of sole 8 8.3 Peripheral side parts of sole 8 8.4 Sole volume 8 8.5 Sole valve 8 9 Sole 9.1 Upper layer of sole 9 9.2 Bottom layer of sole 9 10 Hook and loop fastener 10.1 Hook-shaped layer of hook and loop fastener 10 10.2 Layer in f loop pattern of hook and loop fastener 10 1 1 Sole element with vertical tube Pl Arrow indicating the load when making contact with the ground 17 Arrow indicating the load when pushing and pulling away

Claims (15)

18 CLAIMS

1. A sole, in particular for athletic shoes, which may also be elastically deformed in the tangential direction, characterized in that the fact that it is essentially only rigid to a tangential deformation beyond at least one critical point of deformation in the region that is deformed up to this critical point.

2. The sole according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the critical point of deformation is only reached after a tangential and / or vertical deformation that is greater than 20% of its deformable thickness, in particular, greater than 50% of this thickness.

3. The sole according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises two layers that are separated by at least one, in particular, elastically deformable element, wherein the element makes it possible for the two layers to produce a frictional coupling, not positive and / or positive one with another once a sufficient deformation is reached.

4. The sole according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that it is provided with at least one elastically deformable hollow element containing one or more hollow spaces.

5. The sole according to claim 4, characterized in that the hollow element comprises a deformable tubular section.

6. The sole according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that several hollow elements are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the sole.

7. The sole according to claim 4, characterized in that the hollow element contains two outer layers that are connected to one another by deformable straps, in such a way that several hollow spaces are formed.

8. The sole according to claim 4, characterized in that the hollow element contains at least one chamber that is filled with a fluid.

9. The sole according to claim 8, characterized in that the hollow element contains at least one chamber filled with air that can be elastically deformed by compressing the air contained therein.

10. The sole according to claim 9, characterized in that the air filled in the chamber is subjected to a pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure.

11. The sole according to any of claims 1-10, further characterized in that it is provided with means (10.1) for releasable attachment to an intermediate sole (4) of a shoe (2), as a whole or, when constructed as of multiple parts, with reference to at least one of its parts (3, 3 ').

12. The sole according to claim 11, further characterized in that it is constructed as multi-part and that the individual parts (3, 3 ') can be detachably joined as desired at different points and / or in different designs to the midsole ( 4).

13. The sole according to any of claims 1 or 12, further characterized in that it is constructed as multi-part and that at least two of its parts (3, 3 ') have a different configuration and / or elasticity.

14. The sole according to any of claims 11-13, further characterized in that the means for detachable fastening comprise a part (10.1) of a hook and loop fastener (10) and in that the intermediate sole (4) is provided with the complementary part (10.2) of this hook and loop fastener (10). twenty-one

15. The sole according to claim 14, further characterized in that the means comprise a part (10.1) of the hook and loop fastener (10) provided with hooks.