WO2014173935A1

WO2014173935A1 - Modular shoe

Info

Publication number: WO2014173935A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/058209
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stefan Lederer
Original assignee: Stefan Lederer
Priority date: 2013-04-26
Filing date: 2014-04-23
Publication date: 2014-10-30
Also published as: DE102013104275A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular shoe having an outsole, a rigid midsole which is arranged on the outsole and is subdivided into a midsole front foot part (8a) and a midsole heel part (8b), and an upper shoe (4), wherein the midsole front foot and heel parts (8a, 8b) have receptacles for attaching the upper shoe (4) to the midsole and are designed to be joined at a prespecified distance from one another. The outsole is subdivided into an outsole front foot part (6a) and an outsole heel part (6b), which outsole front foot part and outsole heel part match the midsole front foot part (8a) and, respectively, the midsole heel part (8b). The midsole front foot part (8a) and the midsole heel part (8b) are designed to be joined at at least one further prespecified distance from one another. The upper shoe (4) is subdivided into at least one upper shoe front foot part (12a, 12b, 14) and at least one upper shoe heel part (16a, 16b, 18, 20). The edges of the midsole are exposed at least on the left and right of the shoe and contain insertion slots which extend toward one another from the left-hand-side and right-hand-side edges of the midsole and form the receptacles for attaching the upper shoe to the midsole. The upper shoe front foot and heel parts (12a, 12b, 14, 16a, 16b, 18, 20) each contain at least one left-hand-side and one right-hand-side rigid strip which fit into a corresponding insertion slot, wherein the insertion slots (24, 24', 50) and the rigid strips (22, 22', 48) are designed so that the shoe components which are fitted with the strips (22, 22', 48) can be interchanged and each individual strip (22, 22', 48) can be fixed in the associated insertion slot (24, 24', 50) in several different positions in the transverse direction of the shoe.

Description

Modular shoe

The invention relates to a modular shoe according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such a modular shoe is known from WO 2011/080779 A1 and contains in particular a one-piece outsole, a midsole arranged on the outsole, which is subdivided into a midsole forefoot part and a midsole heel part which can be joined together at a predetermined distance, a one-piece insole over the midsole as a footbed, and a one-piece upper shoe fixed between the midsole and a mounting plate having a plurality of pins which engage mating receptacles on the midsole. The aforementioned shoe components are interchangeable, so that shoes can be made with custom dimensions in a series production.

The German Utility Model No. 1,900,515 discloses a variable-length shoe with a rear part and a front part, wherein the rear part has a tab which is inserted differently far into a Einsteckschlitz on the front part.

The present invention is based on the object to provide a modular shoe, which can be both advantageously composed of modular components as well as variable in many ways, in order to easily adapt to changing needs of its wearer can.

This object is achieved according to the invention by a modular shoe according to claim 1. Advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. In the invention, the outsole and the upper shoe are made in two parts, as is generally known, and the forefoot part and the heel part of the midsole are designed so that they can be joined together in at least one further predetermined distance, so that the shoe is adjustable in length. In addition, it is possible to combine different lengths of forefoot and heel parts, both in the sole and the upper, and in this way also to cope with unusual foot shapes.

In addition, in the invention, the edges of the midsole are provided at least left and right of the shoe with exposed insertion slots, which extend from the left and right edges of each other and which respectively record for rigid strips on the upper shoe forefoot and heel parts, so that the upper shoe can be easily attached by inserting the strips in the insertion slots on the midsole.

The attachment of the upper shoe by means of laterally engaging in the midsole strip makes it possible to make the width of the shoe variable.

Thus, for width variability within a modular system, upper shoes or upper shoe components with different lengths of strip may be provided, the insertion depth of which is determined by fixed depth stops in the midsole, or there may be midsoles with different depths or variable depth stops.

Width variability to adapt to changing needs of the shoe wearer is provided by the fact that you can push the strips more or less deep in the insertion slots and fasten in any suitable manner in the desired position.

In the invention, the midsole forms the sole supporting structure of the shoe and must therefore be firm. The midsole must also be flexible and elastic enough that a foot can roll ergonomically on the sole when walking or running. These requirements are particularly for the portion of the midsole, in which the distance between the forefoot part and the heel part of the midsole is adjusted. This section essentially determines both the overall stability and the flexural and torsional rigidity of the shoe sole, and it must be able to bend and twist during walking or running with a defined characteristic without breaking. A midsole with a degree of stiffness that provides a suitable compromise between the aforementioned requirements is referred to herein as a rigid midsole. The strips which fit into the insertion slots are also more or less rigid.

In a preferred embodiment, each strip is formed by a first leg of an elbow whose second leg merges into the corresponding upper shoe Vorderfuß- or heel part, preferably in one piece. In the case of the angle pieces, not only are the first legs forming a strip rigid, but also the second legs pointing upwards from the sole, so that these legs can give lateral support to one foot.

In one embodiment of the modular shoe as a sandal, the upper shoe, forefoot and heel portions may each be formed by left and right elbows connected by one or more straps.

In one embodiment of the modular shoe as a heel-closed clog, the upper shoe may be divided into an upper-shoe forefoot part and an upper-shoe heel part, each having integral extensions at their lower edges, each forming one of the strips fitting into a slip-in slot. So that the strips can be easily inserted into the insertion slots in this case, the two upper shoe parts preferably have a certain flexibility.

As an alternative to relatively flexible upper shoe parts, one could divide the upper shoe forefoot part into right and left upper shoe forefoot parts and divide the upper shoe heel part into right and left upper shoe heel parts, each of these four parts comprising one or two of the one-piece extensions has, the stripes form. Such a four-part upper shoe would thus have a gap running its length, which is narrow or closed at the smallest adjustable shoe width and becomes wider with increasing shoe width. In order to provide sufficient support for a foot in this case, the four parts or shells of the upper shoe would have to be stiffer than in other embodiments.

The shoe according to the invention is particularly suitable for the production of plastic, rubber and / or composite materials, wherein z. B. the midsole of a relatively hard plastic, the upper shoe or at least parts thereof may consist of a softer plastic and the outsole of EVU, PU, rubber or composite material. Such plastic shoes are often in the form of sandals or clogs, but the invention is basically suitable for other shoes, provided that their upper and outsole can be designed in two parts.

Further preferred embodiments of the invention are directed to the fact that the individual strips are adjustable in the direction of the width and / or the length of the shoe, which allows a particularly good adaptation to individual foot shapes. In particular, the insertion slots and the strips can be adapted to be able to fix each individual strip in several different positions in the longitudinal and / or transverse direction (width direction) of the shoe in the associated insertion slot. Preferably, the strips are also interchangeable.

Thus, a slight width adjustability results if at least two or all strips fitting in a respective slot each have at least two holes which are aligned at certain insertion depths of the strips with an associated hole in the forefoot part or heel part of the midsole, so that the strips by means of screws in different Positions in the insertion slots can be fixed. If there is only one hole at a time, you can at least replace the shoe components that contain the strips with others.

As an alternative to fastening by means of screw holes, the strips which each fit in one slot can each have snap closure means, such as e.g. B. Clips with interlocking projections and recesses, which the strike fen automatically lock in at least one predetermined position in their insertion slots. This lock can either be solvable by hand or not.

An adjustability of individual strips along the longitudinal direction of the shoe results when at least two of the insertion slots are wider than the associated strips and also have guide profiles extending in the insertion direction, which are complementary to corresponding guide profiles in the associated strips, so that each of these strips in several different positions with respect to the longitudinal direction of the shoe can insert into the associated insertion slot, z. B. further forward or further back, whereupon the strips remain fixed by the guide profiles in the longitudinal direction of the shoe.

For a reliable connection of the forefoot and heel parts of the midsole, it is expedient to make the portion of the midsole, in which the distance between the two said parts is adjusted, so that formed on the forefoot part and the heel part of the midsole flat, straight rails each extending in the direction of the other part and telescopically push each other when you put together the forefoot and heel parts of the midsole. That is, these rails form a kind of telescopic guide which allows the forefoot and heel parts of the midsole to be joined together at a desired distance from each other, being locked against each other in directions transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shoe and locked in use.

In order to fix the forefoot and heel parts of the midsole at the desired distance from each other, they and the rails preferably have holes which are aligned with each other in certain relative positions of the forefoot and heel parts. After setting the desired distance, simply screw short

Screw in the holes, preferably tapping screws.

In a preferred embodiment, the forefoot part and the heel part of the midsole are arranged to be joined together in exactly three different predetermined distances. When the smallest distance is set is, the outsole forefoot portion and the outsole heel portion should abut closely. In the other settings, there is a gap in the midsole.

Preferably, the distance between the forefoot part and the heel part of the midsoles is selectable in two steps of about 8 mm each, which corresponds to the difference in length of two consecutive British standard shoe sizes, but other crotch lengths corresponding to a desired shoe standard may be chosen. For stride lengths of two times 0.8 mm, the distance between the forefoot part and the heel part of the midsole is a maximum of 16 mm. Such a gap does not bother a shoe wearer, as a foot hardly presses on the sole in this area.

To close any gap in the midsole, you could provide appropriate insertion parts. However, in a preferred embodiment, any gap is left open and simply covered by a one-piece insole which is removably secured to the midsole, preferably by means of Velcro. Such attachment is particularly useful for sandals.

If the shoe size is adjusted, the insole is removed from the Velcro straps and attached again after adjustment. For more closed shoes, it is also conceivable that the insole is simply loose in it. The length of the insole preferably corresponds to the shoe length of the smallest adjustable shoe size. It usually does not bother a shoe wearer that the insole is a little shorter when one of the two major shoe lengths is set.

The following is a description of embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show:

1 shows a first embodiment of a modular shoe as a sandal in a perspective view obliquely from above.

Figure 2 shows the modular shoe of Figure 1 in an exploded perspective view obliquely from above. 3 shows the modular shoe of Figures 1 and 2 in an exploded perspective view obliquely from below.

4 shows a variant of the modular shoe of FIGS. 1 to 3 in an exploded perspective view obliquely from above; and

Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of a modular shoe as a clog in a perspective view obliquely from above.

In the exemplary embodiments and variants, identical or functionally identical components are denoted by the same or corresponding reference numerals.

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a modular sandal with sole 2 and upper shoe 4.

The sole 2 comprises an outsole forefoot portion 6a and an outsole heel portion 6b which together form an outsole, a midsole forefoot portion 8a bonded to the outsole forefoot portion 6a, and a midsole heel portion 8b bonded to the outsole heel portion 6b together forming a rigid midsole, and a common insole 10 covering the midsole forefoot part 8a and the midsole heel part 8b and fastened thereto by means of not shown Velcro pieces.

In the configuration shown in Fig. 1, in which the sandal is assembled in the smallest possible length and width, the outsole 6a, 6b, the midsole 8a, 8b and the insole 10 have the same contour and overlap with exposed edges.

Vertical legs of right and left forefoot elbows 12a and 12b are interconnected at their upper ends by a forefoot strap 14, and vertical legs of right and left heel contra-angles 16a and 16b are secured at their upper end by an instep footrest. Strap 18 and a heel strap 20 connected together. The belts 14, 18, 20 are at one end riveted and provided at the other end with Velcro straps to open or adjust in length.

The upper shoe 4 is divided into an upper shoe front foot part and an upper shoe heel part. The upper shoe forefoot portion is formed by the forefoot elbows 12a and 12b and the forefoot belt 14, and the upper shoe heel portion is formed by the heel elbows 16a and 16b, the heel strap 18 and the heel strap 20.

Horizontal legs of the right and left forefoot elbows 12a and 12b form two rigid strips 22 (Figures 2 and 3) which sit in two insertion slots 24 formed in the midsole forefoot part 8a and horizontally from one another on the left and right edges thereof to get lost. Horizontal legs of the right and left heel elbows 16a and 16b form two rigid strips 22 which seat in insertion slots 24 formed in the midsole heel portion 8b and extending horizontally toward each other from the left and right edges thereof.

In this embodiment, the insertion slots 24 are substantially as wide and deep as the strips 22, so that the strips 22 are inserted with a small clearance from the edges of the sole 2 in the insertion slots 24, wherein their outer surfaces in the one shown in Fig. 1 the lowest insertion position with the edges of the sole 2 are aligned.

In particular, the strips 22, but also the whole angle pieces 12a, 12b, 16a, 16b are relatively rigid, so that they do not detach from the sole 2 when the belts 14, 18, 20 are loaded while walking or running on train.

In addition, the insertion positions of the strips 22 are fixed in the insertion slots 24 by means of self-tapping screws 26. For this purpose, the strips 22 each have two pre-drilled holes 28 spaced apart in their longitudinal direction and the midsole forefoot part 8a and the midsole heel part 8b each have two holes 30, one of which belongs to a strip 22. Thus, each angle 12a, 12b, 16a, 16b may be secured to the sole 2 by means of the respective tapping screw 26 in one of two positions with respect to the width of the sandal. This results in a total of sixteen different ways to fix the angle pieces 12a, 12b, 16a, 16b to the sole, so that the width of the sandal can be set very variable and adapted to a variety of individual foot shapes.

Also, the vertical legs of the elbows 12a, 12b, 16a, 16b are relatively rigid so as to provide lateral support to a foot in the shoe, even when the straps 14, 18 and 20 are unloaded.

At the midsole-Vorderfußteil 8a two flat, straight rails 32 are further formed, which extend approximately at a distance of the sole width in the direction of the midsole heel part 8b. At the midsole heel part 8b, a flat, straight rail 34 is formed, which extends on the sole longitudinal axis in the direction of the midsole forefoot part 8a. The midsole forefoot portion 8a and the midsole heel portion 8b are assembled by sliding them together along the sole longitudinal axis, with the rails 32 and 34 telescoping one inside the other.

For fixing the midsole forefoot part 8a and the midsole heel part 8b at a desired distance from each other, the midsole forefoot part 8a has two holes 36 each in line with one of two rows of holes 38 in the rail 34 of the midsole heel part 8b , Each row here consists of three holes 36 at intervals of about 8 mm. The hole spacing may also be a different length difference between two consecutive shoe lengths in any desired standard.

Once the desired shoe length has been set, the holes 36 are each aligned with a hole 38, and two tapping screws 26 can be threaded into the holes 36, 38 to fix the midsole forefoot portion 8a and midsole heel portion 8b in the desired relative position. In a similar manner, one could fix the rails 34 of the midsole forefoot portion 8a to the midsole heel portion 8b, but it is preferred that the rails 34 and 36 intermesh positively over their entire length, e.g. B. in the manner of a dovetail guide or the like, and that they form a telescopic guide on the entire insertion length, even if such meshing is not shown in detail in the drawings.

The modular sandal shown in Figure 4 differs substantially from that of Figures 1 to 3 only in that insertion slots 24 'in the midsole forefoot portion 8a' and in the midsole heel portion 8b ^{1 are} approximately twice as wide as the insertion slots 24 in Figures 1 to 3 and that the insertion slots 24 'and strips 22' at angle pieces 12a ', 12b', 16a ', 16b' each have guide profiles 40 and 42 which extend in the insertion direction of the strips 22 ', ie transverse to the sole longitudinal axis, and which are complementary to each other.

In addition, the midsole forefoot part 8a 'and the midsole heel part 8b' instead of single holes 30 each have a row of holes 30 '.

Thus, each individual strip 22 'in several different positions in the longitudinal direction of the shoe in the associated insertion slot 24' can be inserted and fixed by means of tapping screws as needed further forward or further back.

Fig. 5 shows a modular clog having a sole comprising an outsole forefoot portion 6a 'and an outsole heel portion 6b' which together form an outsole, a midsole forefoot portion 8a 'glued to the outsole forefoot portion 6a' and an outsole Heel part 6b 'glued midsole heel part 8b', which together form a rigid midsole, and a sock 10 '.

The upper shoe of the clog shown in Fig. 5 includes an upper shoe front foot portion 44 detachably mounted on the midsole forefoot portion 8a 'and an upper shoe heel portion 46 detachably mounted on the midsole heel portion 8b', each being slightly flexible. The insole 10 'is inserted in the upper shoe and can be additionally attached by means of Velcro on the midsole. At the upper shoe heel 46, one end of an instep strap 18 is riveted, which is provided at its other end with Velcro to open it or to be able to adjust in length.

The upper shoe Vorderfußteil 44 and the upper shoe heel 46 have at their lower edges left and right two or three inwardly angled extensions, the z. B. one or two inches wide horizontally to each other and each forming a rigid strip 48, which fits into one of correspondingly many insertion slots 50 which are formed in the midsole forefoot part 8a 'and in the midsole heel part 8b' and of which left and right edges running horizontally towards each other.

Unlike the strips 22 of the first embodiment, the strips 48 each have only one hole 52 for attachment to the midsole forefoot part 8a 'and midsole heel part 8b' by means of self tapping screws 26. However, one could also rows of holes such. B. use the double holes in the first embodiment, or it could in the region of the insertion slots 50 each rows of holes in the midsole Vorderfußteil 8a 'and midsole heel part 8b' give to adjust the width of the upper shoe Vorderfußteils 44 and / or the upper shoe heel 46 to be able to.

Regardless, a width variability in the context of a modular system is also given by the fact that you can provide different widths of upper shoe parts 44 and 46, which can be attached to one and the same previously selected sole optional. It is also conceivable according to the invention to provide the upper shoe parts 44 and 46 with elastic sections or with slots in order to allow the width adjustment.

The clog shown in Figure 5 is adjustable in length in the same manner as described above with reference to Figures 1-3.

A particular advantage of the invention lies in the combination of a width and length adjustment of the shoe, which is an exact vote of the width on a change tion of the length of the shoe allowed. Thus, according to the invention, a shoe is manufactured with a precisely adapted size. In addition, the interchangeability of the individual strips allows to create a shoe that offers a variety of design options.

Claims

claims

A modular shoe having an outsole, a rigid midsole disposed on the outsole, which is divided into a midsole forefoot part (8a; 8a ') and a midsole heel part (8b; 8b'), and an upper shoe (4) the midsole forefoot and heel parts (8a, 8b; 8a ', 8b') have receptacles for attachment of the upper shoe (4) to the midsole and are adapted to be joined together at a predetermined distance, characterized in that

the outsole is divided into an outsole forefoot part (6a, 6a ') and an outsole heel part (6b, 6b') which is connected to the midsole forefoot part (8a; 8a ') and the midsole heel part (8b; ) match;

the midsole forefoot part (8a; 8a ') and the midsole heel part (8b; 8b') are arranged to be joined together in at least one further predetermined distance;

the upper shoe (4) is divided into at least one upper shoe forefoot part (12a, 12b, 14; 12a ', 12b'; 44) and at least one upper shoe heel part (16a, 16b, 18, 20; 16a ', 16b; 46) ;

the edges of the midsole are at least exposed on the left and right of the shoe and have insertion slots (24; 24 '; 50) extending from the left and right edges of the midsole and the mounts for attachment of the upper (4) to the midsole form; and

the upper shoe forefoot and heel pieces (12a, 12b, 14, 16a, 16b, 18, 20; 12a ', 12b', 16a ', 16b'; 44, 46) each comprise at least left and right rigid strips (22, 22) 22 '; 48) which fits into a corresponding insertion slot (24; 24'; 50), the insertion slots (24, 24 ', 50) and the rigid strips (22, 22', 48) being adapted to to be able to replace the shoe components carrying the strips (22, 22 ', 48) and each individual strip (22, 22', 48) in several different positions in the transverse direction of the shoe in the associated insertion slot (24, 24 ', 50) to be able to fix.

2. Modular shoe according to claim, characterized in that each strip (22; 22 ') by a first leg of an elbow (12a, 12b, 16a, 16b, 12a', 12b ', 16a ¹ , 16b') is formed, whose second leg into the upper shoe front foot or heel part (12a, 12b, 14, 16a, 16b, 18, 20; 12a ', 12b', 16a ', 16b').

3. Modular shoe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper shoe Vorderfuß- and -Hereenteile (12a, 12b, 14, 16a, 16b, 18, 20, 12a ', 12b', 16a ', 16b') respectively are formed by left and right elbows (12a, 12b, 16a, 16b, 12a ', 12b', 16a ', 16b') interconnected by one or more belts (14, 18, 20).

4. Modular shoe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper shoe is divided into a shoe upper Vorderfußteil (44) and a shoe upper part (46), each having at their lower edges integral extensions, each one of the in one Insert slot (50) matching strips (48) form.

Modular shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insertion slots (24, 24 ') and the rigid strips (22, 22') are adapted to each individual strip (22, 22 ') in several different positions in Longitudinal direction of the shoe in the associated insertion slot (24, 24 ') to be able to fix.

6. Modular shoe according to claim 5, characterized in that at least two or all in a Einsteckschlitz (24) matching strips (22) each have at least two holes (28) at certain insertion depths of the strips (22) having an associated hole (30; 30 ') in the midsole-forefoot or heel part (8a, 8b) are aligned.

7. Modular shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two or all of the in a slot (24, 24 ') mating strips (22, 22') each have snap closure means, they in at least one predetermined position in the associated Lock insertion slot (24, 24 ').

8. Modular shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least two of the insertion slots (24 ') or all insertion slots (24') are wider than the associated strips (22 ') and also in the insertion direction extending guide profiles (42), which are complementary to corresponding guide profiles (40) in the associated strips (22 ') so as to permit adjustment of a respective strip (22') between different positions in a male slot (24 ') receiving said strip (22').

9. Modular shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the midsole forefoot part (8a; 8a ') and the midsole heel part (8b; 8b') each have one or more integrally formed flat, straight rails (32,34) which extend towards the other part and are telescoped into each other when the midsole forefoot and heel parts (8a, 8b; 8a ', 8b') are joined, and in that the rails (32, 34) are holes (38) which in certain relative positions of the midsole forefoot and heel parts (8a, 8b; 8a ', 8b') with associated holes (36) in the midsole forefoot or heel part (8a, 8b; 8a ', 8b ') are aligned.

Modular shoe according to any one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that it comprises a number of short screws (26) which fit into the holes (30, 36; 30 ') in the midsole forefoot parts ( 8a, 8b) and / or into the holes (28, 36) in the strips (22) or rails (34).

Modular shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the midsole forefoot part (8a; 8a ') and the midsole heel part (8b; 8b') are arranged to be joined together in exactly three different predetermined distances, wherein the outsole forefoot part (8a; 8a ') and the outsole heel part (8b, 8b') abut practically completely when the smallest distance is set, and wherein the pitch between two consecutive distances is between 6 and 10 mm, and preferably 8 mm.

12. Modular shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a one-piece insole (10) which is detachably mounted on the midsole, in particular by means of Velcro.

13. Modular shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shoe is a sandal.