OUTSOLE FOR A SHOE, IN PARTICULAR FOR A SOCCER SHOE, SHOE WITH SUCH AN OUTSOLE, AND METHOD FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF SUCH ITEMS

Abstract

The present invention relates to an outsole for a shoe, in particular for a soccer shoe, and it further relates to a shoe with such an outsole, and to a method for the manufacture of such items.

Provided is an outsole for a shoe, in particular for a soccer shoe, which comprises: a first main stud disposed on a bottom surface of the outsole, and a first peripheral stud disposed on a peripheral surface of the outsole, wherein a tip of the first main stud and a tip of the first peripheral stud are linked by a first bridge portion.

Also provided is an outsole for a shoe, in particular for a soccer shoe, comprising: a first main stud disposed on a bottom surface of the outsole, and a first peripheral stud disposed on a peripheral surface of the outsole, wherein the first peripheral stud has a generally triangular shape, preferably wherein two corners are pointing outwards and one corner is pointing inwards.

Additionally provided is an outsole for a shoe, in particular for a soccer shoe, comprising: at least one peripheral lateral stud disposed on a lateral peripheral surface of the outsole, wherein the at least one peripheral lateral stud is disposed in a region of the lateral peripheral surface that lies in a forefoot part of the outsole, and wherein the region of the lateral peripheral surface in which the at least one peripheral lateral stud is disposed is spaced apart from a front tip of the outsole such that the region of the lateral peripheral surface in which the at least one peripheral lateral stud is disposed is arranged further rearwards than a first row of studs of the outsole, counted from the front tip of the outsole.

Claims

1. An outsole for an athletic shoe, the outsole comprising: at least one main stud disposed on a bottom surface of the outsole and having a main tip extending at a main axis generally perpendicular to a main ground-contact surface of the main tip, wherein the main stud is configured to contact the ground during normal walking conditions; and at least one peripheral stud disposed on a peripheral surface of the outsole and having a peripheral tip extending at a second axis that is perpendicular to a peripheral ground-contact surface of the peripheral tip, wherein the second axis is tilted at an angle from the main axis such that the peripheral stud is configured to not contact the ground during normal walking conditions, wherein the main tip of the main stud and the peripheral tip of the peripheral stud are linked by a bridge portion.

2. The outsole according to claim 1, wherein the axis of the peripheral stud is tilted at the angle from the main axis being in the range of 5 to 60 degrees.

3. The outsole according to claim 2, wherein the axis of the peripheral stud is tilted at the angle from the main axis being in the range of 30 to 60 degrees.

4. The outsole according to claim 1, wherein the main tip, the peripheral tip and the bridge portion are formed as a first integral piece from a common material.

5. The outsole according to claim 4, wherein the bottom surface of the outsole is formed molded of a different material than the common material.

6. The outsole according to claim 1, wherein the at least one peripheral stud is arranged on a lateral side of the outsole.

7. The outsole according to claim 1, wherein a base of the main stud and a base of the peripheral stud are at least partly merged.

8. The outsole according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first peripheral has a generally triangular shape, wherein two corners are pointing outwards and one corner is pointing inwards.

9. The outsole according to claim 8, wherein the generally triangular shape has three cusps with generally concave edges therebetween.

10. The outsole according to claim 1, further comprising at least one additional heel stud, which is also arranged on the peripheral surface of the outsole, wherein the additional heel stud lies posterior and superior off-set compared to an adjacent main heel stud, and wherein a ground-facing surface of a tip of the additional heel stud is arranged essentially parallel to the ground when the outsole rests flat on the ground.

11. The outsole according to claim 8, wherein the outsole comprises a forefoot part separate from a heel part.

12. The outsole according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral ground-contact surface of the peripheral stud is smaller than the main ground-contact surface of the main stud.

13. A shoe comprising an outsole according to claim 1.

14. An athletic shoe comprising: an outsole forming a bottom surface of the shoe and at least a portion of a lateral outside surface of the shoe; at least one peripheral lateral stud disposed on the lateral outside surface of the outsole, wherein the peripheral lateral stud is tilted and extends at an angle relative to the bottom surface such that the peripheral stud is configured to not contact the ground during normal walking conditions, wherein the at least one peripheral lateral stud is disposed on a forefoot part of the outsole in a peripheral region spaced apart from a front tip of the outsole and rearwards from at least a first group of studs of the outsole and forward of an arch portion.

15. The shoe according to claim 14, wherein the outsole further comprises at least one additional peripheral lateral stud disposed outside the peripheral region and having a height lower than a height of the at least one peripheral lateral stud within the peripheral region.

16. The shoe according to claim 14, wherein the lateral peripheral region comprises at least two peripheral lateral studs, and wherein the outsole further comprises: a first main stud disposed on a bottom surface of the outsole; and a second main stud disposed on the bottom surface of the outsole, wherein the outsole comprises at least first, a second, and a third row of studs, counted from the front tip of the outsole, wherein a first main stud and a first one of the peripheral lateral studs are included in the second row of studs, and wherein the second main stud and a second one of said peripheral lateral studs are included in the third row of studs.

17. A method for manufacturing an athletic shoe, the method comprising: providing at least one pre-fabricated stud tip having a first main stud and a first peripheral stud linked by a first bridge portion formed as an integral piece made from a common material; placing the pre-fabricated stud tips into a mold; after the pre-fabricated stud tips are placed into the mold, injection-molding at least part of a bottom surface of an outsole.

18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: providing a second pre-fabricated stud tip having a second main stud and a second peripheral stud linked by a second bridge portion formed as an integral piece made from a common material; and placing the second pre-fabricated stud tip into the mold prior to injection-molding.

19. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: providing at least one additional pre-fabricated stud tip for one of an additional main stud or an additional heel stud; placing the additional pre-fabricated stud tip or into the mold prior to injection-molding.

20. The method according to claim 17, further comprising: holding in place the at least one stud tip by a slider element during at least part of injection-molding.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0116] Possible embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the following figures:

[0117] FIGS. 1a-j: Shoe and outsole with main- and peripheral studs.

[0118] FIGS. 2a-d: Schematic drawings of a pair of pre-fabricated stud tips for a main- and peripheral stud and their potential arrangement on an outsole.

[0119] FIG. 3: Schematic diagram of a manufacturing method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0120] Possible embodiments of the different aspects of the present invention and disclosure are described below, predominately with respect to soccer shoes. It is, however, once again emphasized that the different aspects may also be practiced in different kinds of soles and shoes and are not limited to the specific embodiments set forth below.

[0121] Reference is further made to the fact that in the following only individual embodiments can be described in more detail. The skilled person will understand that the features and possible modifications described with reference to these specific embodiments may also be further modified and/or combined with one another in a different manner or in different sub-combinations, without departing from the scope of the present invention and disclosure. Individual features or sub-features may also be omitted if they are dispensable to obtain the desired result. In order to avoid redundancies, reference is therefore made to the explanations in the preceding sections, which also apply to the following detailed description.

[0122] FIGS. 1a-j show an embodiment of a shoe 10, particularly a soccer shoe 10, with an outsole 100. The shoe 10 also comprises an upper 20, which will not be discussed in further detail herein, onto which the outsole 100 is mounted (s., e.g., FIGS. 1b and 1e).

[0123] FIG. 1a shoes the complete shoe 10, with the lateral side of the shoe 10 facing the reader. FIG. 1b shows the forefoot- and midfoot region of the bottom side of the shoe 10, with the lateral side of the shoe 10 facing towards the right side of the picture. FIG. 1c shows an enlarged image of the tip of the bottom side of the shoe 10, and FIG. 1d shows an enlarged image of the lateral side edge of the bottom side of the shoe 10. FIG. 1e shows the heel region of the bottom side of the shoe 10, again with the lateral side of the shoe 10 facing towards the right side of the picture. FIGS. 1f and 1g show enlarged images of a pair of main- and peripheral studs having stud tips that are linked by a bridge portion, and FIG. 1h shows an enlarged image of two studs with stud tips that are not linked by a bridge portion. FIG. 1i shows a possible modification of the shoe 10 including a surface texture stud on the medial peripheral surface, and FIG. 1j shows a further possible modification of the shoe 10 with regard to the design of the heel stud.

[0124] As can be seen, for example, in FIGS. 1b, 1d and 1e, the outsole 100 comprises two outsole base parts, or “outsole base plates”, namely a forefoot part 101 and a heel part 102 which are separate from one another. Both parts 101, 102 comprise a base formed of an injection molded material, in the present embodiment a transparent injection-molded thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), on which the studs (or cleats) that will be discussed in the following are arranged. The base could also be made of a different injection molded material, for example a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, a polyamide (PA) material, and/or a polyurethane (PU) material, for example, polyetherblockamide (PEBA), polyamide 11 (PA11), and/or polyamide 12 (PA12).

[0125] As can also be seen, for example, in FIGS. 1b and 1e, there is no outsole part arranged underneath the upper 20 in the arch region 15 of the shoe 10, such that this region retains a higher degree of flexibility (e.g., compared to the regions where the outsole 100 is arranged), which may be desirable in order to not impede the natural movements of the foot during use and play, and to facilitate a comfortable wearing sensation of the shoe 10.

[0126] On the bottom surface of the forefoot- and heel parts 101, 102, main studs (or cleats) 110a-110l are arranged. In addition, on a lateral peripheral surface of the forefoot part 101, which is schematically indicated in FIG. 1b by the dashed line 1, a first- and a second peripheral stud 120a and 120b are arranged. Further, on a heel peripheral surface of the heel part 102 of the outsole 100, which is schematically indicated in FIG. 1e by the dashed line 2, a heel stud 140 is arranged.

[0127] The main studs 110a, 110b, 110c, 110d, 110i and 110j as well as the peripheral studs 120a, 120b and the heel stud 140 comprise dedicated stud tips 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d, 111i, 111j as well as 121a, 121b and 141, which comprise a different material than the corresponding stud bases that are made of the same injection-molded material as the outsole base parts 101, 102. In the present embodiment, the dedicated stud tips 111a, 111b, 111c, 111d, 111i, 111j as well as 121a, 121b and 141 are all made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) with a 95A Shore Hardness. However, more generally, one or more of the following materials could be used: a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, a polyamide (PA) material, a polyurethane (PU) material, for example, polyetherblockamide (PEBA), polyamide 11 (PA11), polyamide 12 (PA12), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), for example TPU with a 95A Shore Hardness.

[0128] On the other hand, the main studs 110e, 110f, 110g, 110h and 110l, 110k on the medial side of the outsole 100 (s., e.g., FIGS. 1b and 1e) do not comprise dedicated stud tips but have been integrally provided with the forefoot- and heel parts 101 and 102 of the outsole 100 in the respective injection-molding process of these parts. This is also true for the stud bases of the above-mentioned studs 110a-d, 110i-j, 120a-b and 140, but not for their tips 111a-d, 111i-j, 121a-b and 141 as just mentioned above.

[0129] In a possible variation of the shoe 10 and outsole 100, as shown in FIG. 1i, one or more surface texture studs 150 may be added on the medial peripheral surface adjacent to an associated main stud, for example, adjacent to one of the main studs 110e, 110f and/or 110g, in the exemplary case of FIG. 1i adjacent to the main stud 110f, which are a stud or studs of comparatively smaller size (e.g., compared to the main studs, as can be seen in FIG. 1i), which mainly serve to improve ball handling and ball control, and not traction on the ground. The surface texture stud(s) 150 may be integrally formed with the respective part of outsole base plate, or they may comprise a dedicated material composition that may differ from that of the outsole base plate.

[0130] The stud tip 111a of the main stud 110a, which is located on the bottom surface of the forefoot part 101 of the outsole 100, and the stud tip 121a of the peripheral stud 120a, which is located on the lateral peripheral surface 1 of the forefoot part 101 of the outsole 100 and lies adjacent to the main stud 110a, are linked by a bridge portion 131a. The stud tips 111a and 121a together with their bridge portion 131a have been integrally provided as a single piece and have been made from a common material, in the embodiment shown here from TPU. However, as already mentioned, more generally one or more of the following materials may be used: a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, a polyamide (PA) material, a polyurethane (PU) material, for example, polyetherblockamide (PEBA), polyamide 11 (PA11), polyamide 12 (PA12), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), for example TPU with a 95A Shore Hardness. This may, e.g., be accomplished in an injection-molding process prior to them being inserted into an injection mold in which the remainder of the outsole 100 is made (more details on manufacturing methods and options will follow below). The stud tips 111a and 121a together with their bridge portion 131a hence form a constructional unit, which, among other things, simplifies the manufacture of the outsole 100.

[0131] In a similar manner, the stud tip 111b of the main stud 110b, which is located on the bottom surface of the forefoot part 101 of the outsole 100, and the stud tip 121b of the peripheral stud 120b, which is located on the lateral peripheral surface 1 of the forefoot part 101 of the outsole 100 and lies adjacent to the main stud 110b, are also linked by a bridge portion 131b. The stud tips 111b and 121b together with the bridge portion 131b have again been integrally provided as a single piece and have been made from the same common material, for example TPU (or one or several of the above-mentioned materials), for example in an injection-molding process prior to them being inserted into the injection mold in which the remainder of the outsole 100 is made. The stud tips 111b and 121b together with their bridge portion 131b hence also form a constructional unit.

[0132] The bridge portions 131a and 131b form a “mountain crest” or “saddle” between the “peaks” provided by the stud tips 111a, 121a and 111b, 121b, respectively, in the present embodiment (s. also FIGS. 2a-d for more details in this regard).

[0133] To complement and support the bridge portion 131a, the base of the first main stud 110a and the base of the first peripheral stud 120a are at least partly merged, as can, e.g., be seen in FIGS. 1b, 1c, 1d and 1f.

[0134] In a similar manner, to complement and support the bridge portion 131b, the base of the second main stud 110b and the base of the second peripheral stud 120b are also at least partly merged, as can, e.g., be seen in FIGS. 1b, 1d and 1g.

[0135] Contrary to the situation with the lateral forefoot peripheral studs 120a and 120b and their adjacent main studs 110a and 110b, however, the heel stud 140 and the adjacent main stud 110j do not have stud tips that are connected by a bridge portion. Rather, as can, e.g., be seen in FIG. 1e, the stud tip 141 of the heel stud 140 and the stud tip 111j of the main stud 110j are disconnected and separate from one another. Also, the stud bases of the studs 110j and 140 are not (noticeably) merged.

[0136] However, both the first- and second peripheral studs 120a and 120b as well as the heel stud 140 have tilted central axes compared to their adjacent main studs 110a, 110b and 110j, respectively, see, e.g., FIGS. 1d and 1e where the central axes have been schematically indicated by pairs of dotted lines (s. reference numerals 3, 4 and 5). The tilt for each of the studs 120a, 120b, 140 compared to their adjacent main stud 110a, 110b, 110j is chosen such that the stud will engage the ground more or less vertically once the shoe 10 is tilted onto the respective side. For example, a suitable tilt may be a tilt of around 5°, or around 10°, or around 20°, or around 30°, or around 40°, or around 50°, or around 60°, and the degree of tilt may depend on the specific position of the respective peripheral stud on the outsole. As a specific example, a value of 42° of tilt has turned out beneficial.

[0137] For example, if the shoe 10 is worn on the stance foot of a soccer player executing a curve kick with their other foot, the shoe 10 will be tilted onto the lateral side edge such that the lateral peripheral forefoot surface 1 will become a main part of the ground contacting surface of the outsole 100. In this situation, due to the tilt in the shoe 10 and the outsole 100, the peripheral studs 120a and 120b will become oriented more or less vertically with respect to the ground, and hence provide improved traction of the shoe 10 in this extreme kicking position. Similarly, the heel stud 140 can provide improved traction if a player lands on the heel peripheral surface 2 when taking a big step forward, for example. To this end, the heel stud may be off-set from its adjacent main stud in posterior and superior direction (farther towards the back of the sole and farther away from the ground), as can be seen, e.g., in FIGS. 1e and 1h.

[0138] As can best be seen in FIG. 1b, the outsole 100 comprises several rows of studs in the forefoot region, i.e., on the forefoot part 101, namely (counted from the front tip of the sole) a first row comprising the studs 110g, 110h and 110c (listed from medial to lateral side), a second row comprising the studs 110f, 110d, 110a and 120a, and a third row comprising the studs 110e, 110b and 120b. As can also be seen in FIG. 1b, these rows are not perfectly straight lines, but a definite grouping of the studs in this manner is perceivable.

[0139] The first peripheral stud 120a and the corresponding main stud 110a are hence included in the second row (counted from the tip), and the second peripheral stud 120b and the corresponding main stud 110b are included in the third row (counted from the tip). This ensures that both peripheral studs 120a and 120b are located in a preferred region of the forefoot region, which is indicated in FIG. 1b by the dotted line 1p, and which is not too close to the tip of the foot and not too close to the midfoot/arch region, so that the peripheral studs 120a and 120b do not interfere with kicking motions or other movements during use and play.

[0140] The outsole 100 therefore represents an outsole comprising at least one peripheral lateral stud 120a, 120b disposed on a lateral peripheral surface 1 of the outsole 100, wherein the at least one peripheral lateral stud 120a, 120b is disposed in a region 1p of the lateral peripheral surface 1 that lies in a forefoot part 101 of the outsole 100, and wherein the region 1p of the lateral peripheral surface 1 in which the at least one peripheral lateral stud 120a, 120b is disposed is spaced apart from a front tip of the outsole 100 such that the region 1p of the lateral peripheral surface 1 in which the at least one peripheral lateral stud 120a, 120b is disposed is arranged further rearwards than a first row of studs 110g, 110h, 110c of the outsole 100, counted from the front tip of the outsole 100.

[0141] Moreover, on the lateral peripheral surface 1 of the outsole 100 but outside of the preferred region 1p, the outsole 100 does not comprise any peripheral studs.

[0142] Regarding the shape of the studs and stud tips of the outsole 100 (e.g., understood as a cross-sectional shape taken across a plane that is perpendicular to the central axis of a given stud), most studs/stud tips have a triangular shape, meaning they have three pronounced corners or cusps, but they do not have perfectly straight edges but are generally concavely curved (i.e., inwardly towards the center of the stud). This is, in particular, true for the first- and second peripheral studs 120a and 120b as well as the heel stud 140.

[0143] Moreover, for the peripheral studs 120a and 120b, one of the corners or cusps is pointing inwards towards a center or central longitudinal axis of the outsole 100, while the two other edges or cusps point outward and away from the center or central axis of the outsole 100, as can best be seen in FIG. 1d.

[0144] The outsole 100 therefore also represents an outsole with a first main stud 110a disposed on a bottom surface of the outsole, and a first peripheral stud 120a disposed on a peripheral surface 1 of the outsole, wherein the first peripheral stud has a generally triangular shape, preferably wherein two corners are pointing outwards and one corner is pointing inwards.

[0145] However, there are also studs on the outsole 100 that have a different shape, namely the central stud 110d having a cross-shape or x-shape, and the stud 110h at the tip of the outsole 100 which only has two corners. This stud 110h is also considerable smaller than all other studs on the outsole 110, to not infer with the natural use and play or even cause the wearer to stumble, but to still provide improved traction in the tip region of the outsole 100.

[0146] Regarding the heel stud 140, FIG. 1j shows a possible variation of the shoe 10 and outsole 100 with a heel stud 140v with a different design compared to heel stud 140 discussed so far. For reference, the position of the adjacent main stud 110j is also indicated in FIG. 1j schematically. As can be seen, the heel stud 140v is off-set on the rearfoot part 102 of the outsole 100 in comparison to the adjacent heel stud 110j in posterior and superior direction (i.e., farther back and up).

[0147] A further notable feature is that the rearward-facing or posterior side 14r of the stud 140v is vertical or almost vertical (if anything, slightly tilted away from vertical towards the posterior side, which in FIG. 1j is the right side of the picture), as opposed to being tilted into the direction of the stud's central axis 5′, so that the outsole 100 or at least the shown part thereof can be manufactured without the need for any undercuts in the corresponding injection mold, as the molded part can simply be “pulled out” of the mold in what in FIG. 1j is the upward direction. By contrast, if the back edge of the stud 140v were tilted towards the central axis 5′, this would not be possible due to the undercut that would from where the stud 140v meets the outsole base plate 102.

[0148] Also, in the situation shown in FIG. 1j where the outsole 100 rests flat on the ground (the latter being indicated in FIG. 1j by the dashed line g, “g” for “ground”), the ground-facing surface 14b (“b” for “bottom”) of the heel stud 140v is already parallel to the ground (see the dashed line h in FIG. 1j, “h” for “horizontal”), and hence tilted with respect to the stud's central axis 5′. This may, for example, help to avoid unintended engagement of the heel stud 140v with the ground during “normal” walking or playing movements, that may otherwise make the wearer stumble or fall.

[0149] FIGS. 2a-d show further details about two stud tips 211 and 221 for a pair of main- and peripheral studs 210 and 220 (which may be one of the pairs 110a, 120a and 110b, 120b discussed above) which are linked together by a bridge portion 231.

[0150] FIG. 2a shows a top view of the stud tips 211 and 221, wherein the tip 211 is intended to be put on top of the stud base of a main stud 210 (e.g., main stud 110a or 110b as discussed above), while the tip 221 is intended to be put on top of the stud base of a peripheral stud 220 (e.g., peripheral stud 120a or 120b discussed above). The assembled state is shown and illustrated in FIGS. 2c and 2d.

[0151] FIG. 2b shows a bottom view of the stud tips 211 and 221. As can be seen in FIG. 2b, the stud tips 211 and 221 are generally hollow at their bottom side but are each provided with a protrusion 212, 222 which facilitates the anchoring and connecting of the stud tips 211, 221 to their respective stud bases, e.g., in an injection-molding process of the stud bases and of the remained of an outsole (s., e.g., step 340 discussed in relation to FIG. 3 below for more details in this regard).

[0152] Both stud tips are furthermore connected by a bridge portion 231, and the stud tips 211, 221 and the bridge portion 231 are provided as one integral piece, i.e., as a constructional unit. This facilitates, for example, correct placement of the stud tips 211, 221 within a mold for connecting the stud tips to their stud bases, e.g., by the above-mentioned injection-molding process. The bridge portion 231 can also serve the purpose of securing the stud tips 211 and 221 within the mold during such a process, e.g., by a suitable slider element of the mold.

[0153] FIG. 2c shows a cross-section through the studs 210, 220 and stud tips 211, 221 along the cutline indicated by reference numeral 7 in the assembled state illustrated in a 3D-view in FIG. 2d.

[0154] What can be seen in FIG. 2c is that below (or, rather, above it in the worn state of the sole when the studs 210 and 220 are pointing downwards towards the ground) the bridge portion 231 that connects and links the stud tips 211 and 221, the stud bases of the studs 210, 220 comprise a merged region 230 on which the bridge 231 rests and by which it is supported. It is pointed out that while the stud bases of the studs 210 and 220 are also shown as hollow members in FIG. 2c, this need not necessarily be the case and the bases of the studs 210 and 220 can also be provided as solid, non-hollow constructions, which may be easier to achieve in an injection-molding process (but increases the weight of the outsole).

[0155] What can also be seen in FIG. 2c is that the central axes of the two studs 210, 220, which are indicated in FIG. 2c by the two dotted lines with reference numeral 6 in FIG. 2c, are tilted for the reasons already discussed above, in this case at an angle of about 42° degrees.

[0156] FIG. 3 schematically shows an embodiment of a method 300 for the manufacture of an outsole, for example, of the outsole 100 discussed above.

[0157] At step 310, pre-fabricated stud tips for a first main stud and a first peripheral stud which are linked by a first bridge portion are provided (e.g., stud tips 111a and 121a linked by bridge portion 131a, or stud tips 211 and 221 linked by bridge portion 231).

[0158] At step 315, the pre-fabricated stud tips are placed into a mold which is used to manufacture the outsole.

[0159] At step 340, after the pre-fabricated stud tips are placed into the mold, at least part of the outsole is injection-molded.

[0160] Preferably, as indicated at numeral 318, the pre-fabricated stud tips for the first main stud and the first peripheral stud as well as the first bridge portion are provided as an integral piece made from a common material, e.g., from one or more of the following materials: a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, a polyamide (PA) material, a polyurethane (PU) material, for example, polyetherblockamide (PEBA), polyamide 11 (PA11), polyamide 12 (PA12), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), for example TPU with a 95A Shore Hardness. The manufacture of these stud tips and bridge portion may have been accomplished, for example, in a separate injection-molding process that is not shown in FIG. 3 for simplicity.

[0161] Optionally, at step 320, pre-fabricated stud tips for a second main stud and a second peripheral stud that are linked by a second bridge portion are provided (e.g., stud tips 111b and 121b linked by bridge portion 131b, or stud tips 211 and 221 linked by bridge portion 231), and at step 325 they are also placed into the mold prior to the injection-molding in step 340.

[0162] As indicated at numeral 328, the pre-fabricated stud tips for the second main stud and the second peripheral stud as well as the second bridge portion can also be provided as an integral piece made from a common material (e.g., the same material that was used for the first tips and bridge portion). Again, the manufacture of these stud tips and bridge portion may have been accomplished, for example, in a separate injection-molding process that is not shown in FIG. 3 for simplicity.

[0163] Further yet, as indicated at step 330, a further pre-fabricated stud tip or tips, in particular for a further main stud or studs and/or for an additional heel stud or studs (e.g., stud tip 141 for heel stud 140), may be provided and, at step 335, be placed into the mold before the injection-molding in step 340. Also a further stud tip or tips for additional peripheral studs may here be provided.

[0164] During the method 300, in particular during at least part of the injection-molding process in step 340, the pre-fabricated pair of stud tips for the first main- and peripheral studs and/or for the second main- and peripheral can be held in place by a slider element or slider elements of the mold, as indicated at numeral 345. This can also apply to any other stud tip or tips, particularly to pairs of stud tips linked by a respective bridge portion, although this is not explicitly shown in FIG. 3 and is also not further discussed here, for simplicity.

[0165] Finally, the injection-molding in step 340 may comprises an injection-molding of a material comprising, for example, one or more of the following materials: a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material, a polyamide (PA) material, a polyurethane (PU) material, for example, polyetherblockamide (PEBA), polyamide 11 (PA11), polyamide 12 (PA12), and/or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), as indicated at numeral 348.

[0166] The injection-molding in step 340 may, in particular, lead to the formation of (at least some of) the stud bases and create a connection of (at least some of) the pre-fabricated stud tips to these stud bases, and it may also lead to the formation of studs that do not comprise dedicated stud tips but are fully formed in the injection-molding process in step 340 (e.g., one or more surface texture studs 150 as discussed above).

[0167] To conclude, it is noted that while the different steps of the method 300 are presented in a particular order in FIG. 3 and above, this order may also be changed within the scope of the present invention and disclosure as long as this is not logically, physically or technically ruled out.