SOLE ELEMENT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sole element for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe. The sole element includes a midsole and a sole plate with an anisotropic bending property. The sole plate is arranged on top of the midsole.

Claims

1. A sole element for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, comprising: a midsole; and a sole plate with an anisotropic bending property, wherein the sole plate is arranged on top of the midsole.

2. The sole element of claim 1, wherein the sole plate has a first and a second bending stiffness for allowing a dorsal flexion of the sole plate, wherein the first bending stiffness is lower than the second bending stiffness.

3. The sole element of claim 2, wherein the sole plate has the first bending stiffness below a first dorsal flexion angle and the second bending stiffness above the first dorsal flexion angle.

4. The sole element of claim 3, wherein the first dorsal flexion angle is in the range of 20°-40°, preferably in the range of 25°-35°, most preferably 28°-32°.

5. The sole element of claim 1, wherein the anisotropic bending property is in a forefoot region of the sole plate, preferably in a metatarsal region of the sole plate, most preferably in a metatarsal joint region of the sole plate.

6. The sole element of claim 1, wherein the sole plate allows a drop of a heel region to a forefoot region of the sole element in the range of 5-15 mm, preferably around 8-12 mm, most preferably 9-11 mm.

7. The sole element of claim 1, comprising a first height at a metatarsal region of the sole element in the range of 8-17 mm, preferably 10-15 mm, most preferably 11-14 mm, or a second height at a heel region of the sole element in the range of 16-26 mm, preferably 18-24 mm, most preferably 19-23 mm.

8. The sole element of claim 1, further comprising a first reinforcing element.

9. The sole element of claim 8, wherein the first reinforcing element is arranged below the sole plate.

10. The sole element of claim 8, wherein the first reinforcing element is arranged in a midfoot region of the sole plate.

11. The sole element of claim 1, wherein the midsole comprises a recess adapted to receive the sole plate on top of the midsole.

12. The sole element of claim 11, wherein the recess has a depth in the range of 0.8-1.8 mm, preferably 1.0-1.6 mm, most preferably 1.1-1.5 mm.

13. The sole element of claim 1, wherein the midsole comprises a second reinforcing element.

14. The sole element of claim 13, wherein the second reinforcing element wraps a cushioning element of the midsole at least partly.

15. The sole element of claim 1, further comprising an outsole element.

16. The sole element of claim 15, wherein the outsole element comprises at least two unconnected portions.

17. The sole element of claim 16, wherein the at least two unconnected portions comprise different pluralities of different shaped protrusions.

18. A shoe, in particular a sports shoe, comprising a sole element of claim 1.

19. The shoe of claim 18, further comprising at least one of an upper, a strobel board, and a sockliner, wherein the sockliner preferably comprises ethylene-vinyl acetate, EVA.

20. A method of producing a shoe of claim 19, comprising: attaching the upper to the sole element; arranging the strobel board on top of the sole plate; and arranging the sockliner on top of the strobel board.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0032] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the figures.

[0033] FIG. 1 illustrates an anisotropic bending property of an exemplary sole plate for a sole element according to the invention.

[0034] FIG. 2a shows an exploded view of an exemplary sole element according to the present invention.

[0035] FIG. 2b shows two lateral views of an exemplary sole plate with a first reinforcing element for a sole element according to the present invention.

[0036] FIG. 2c shows a lateral view of an exemplary midsole with a cushioning element and a second reinforcing element for a sole element according to the present invention.

[0037] FIG. 2d shows a lateral view of an exemplary outsole element for a sole element according to the present invention.

[0038] FIG. 2e shows a longitudinal section of an exemplary sole element according to the present invention.

[0039] FIG. 2f shows a top view of an exemplary sole element according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Some embodiments of the invention are described in detail with particular reference to a sole element for a shoe, in particular a sports shoe for long-distance runner. However, the concept of the present invention may identically or similarly be applied to other shoes such as, for example, casual shoes, lace-up shoes, laceless shoes or boots such as working boots or any sports equipment.

[0041] It is to be understood that these exemplary embodiments can be modified in a number of ways and combined with each other whenever compatible and that certain features may be omitted in so far as they appear dispensable.

[0042] FIG. 1 schematically illustrates the principle of an anisotropic bending property of a sole plate 120 for a sole element according to the invention. As can be seen, the sole element 120 includes a heel region 121, a midfoot region 122, a forefoot region 123 and a toe region 124. Moreover, the forefoot region 123 of the sole element includes partly a metatarsal region 123a which includes a metatarsal joint region 123b. It should be noted that these regions for the sole plate 120 also apply for the sole element 100 including the sole plate 120 as well as for other elements of the sole element 100, as shown and explained below in the remaining FIGS. 2a-f.

[0043] The anisotropic bending property of the sole plate 120 may be a bending stiffness allowing a dorsal flexion. As mentioned above, the terms “flexion” and “bending” may be interchangeable. Moreover, the term “dorsal flexion” relates to a bending upwards in a region of the sole element 120. In contrast, the term “plantar flexion” relates to a bending downwards in a region of the sole element 120. Downwards is a direction towards the ground when a shoe with the sole element including the sole plate 120 is worn in its usual configuration. Upwards is an opposite direction, e.g., towards the sky when such a shoe is worn in a usual configuration. Moreover, the term “stiffness” is given by the slope of the stress-strain curve, which, simply speaking, plots the applied force over the resultant deformation.

[0044] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the dashed horizontal line through the elongated extension of the sole plate 120 is the zero line to define a neutral position of the two different kinds of flexion (or bending). Thus, the sole plate 120 of FIG. 1 allows a dorsal flexion or bending upwards of the sole plate 120 with respect to the zero line.

[0045] The sole plate 120 has a first and a second bending stiffness for allowing the dorsal flexion of the sole plate 120, wherein the first bending stiffness is lower than the second bending stiffness. As mentioned, different bending stiffnesses enable meeting of individual requirements of long-distance runners.

[0046] Moreover, the sole plate 120 has the first bending stiffness below a first dorsal flexion angle (α) defining a certain angle range, as shown with the double arrow in FIG. 1. The first dorsal flexion angle (α) may in the range of 20°-40°, preferably in the range of 25°-35°, most preferably 28°-32°. Additionally or alternatively, other ranges could also be possible depending on specific requirements of the wearer, e.g., the weight or other anatomic conditions such as supination or pronation, etc., or specific running conditions, e.g., uphill running or flat-ground running, etc. The second bending stiffness is above the first dorsal flexion angle (α), as shown with the single arrow in FIG. 1.

[0047] The first bending stiffness is lower than the second bending stiffness. Such a first bending stiffness below the first dorsal flexion angle (α) provides sufficient flexibility for enough wearing comfort during landing of a shoe with the sole plate 120 whereas the second bending stiffness above the first dorsal flexion angle (α) provides needed stiffness for performance during push off, in particular when trying to bend the sole plate 120 and thus the whole sole element and the shoe.

[0048] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the anisotropic bending property is located in the forefoot region 123 of the sole plate 120. The location of the bending property may be characterized by the bending or flexing position on the zero line where the sole plate 120 starts to bend. Moreover, a certain area around this bending or flexing position may be in the metatarsal region 123a of the sole plate 120, preferably along the metatarsal joint region 123b of the sole plate 120.

[0049] FIG. 2a shows an exploded view of an exemplary sole element 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 2b shows two lateral views of an exemplary sole plate 120 as shown in FIG. 1 with a first reinforcing element 130 of the sole element 100. FIG. 2c shows a lateral view of an exemplary midsole 105 with a cushioning element 110 and a second reinforcing element 140 of the sole element 100. FIG. 2d shows a lateral view of an exemplary outsole element 150 of the sole element 100. FIG. 2e shows a longitudinal section of an exemplary sole element 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 2f shows a top view of an exemplary sole element 100 according to the present invention.

[0050] As can be seen in FIG. 2a, the sole element 100 for a shoe according to the invention includes a midsole 105 and a sole plate 120 with an anisotropic bending property, wherein the sole plate 120 is arranged on top of the midsole 105. Such an arrangement of the sole plate 120 on top of the midsole 105 together with the specific bending property in one direction relates to improved ways of providing optimum bending properties, for example bending stiffness in the sole element 100, together with optimum wearing comfort for the long-distance runner of a shoe with this sole element 100. The sole plate 120 may include one or more of the above-explained features of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0051] The midsole 105 includes a cushioning element 110 that is manufactured from a large number of particles. The particles are made from an expanded material such as expanded thermoplastic polyurethane, eTPU. It is also conceivable that any other appropriate material may be used, for example, any other particle foam suitable for the manufacture of midsoles, for example, expanded polyamide, ePA; expanded polyether-block-amide, ePEBA; expanded polylactide, ePLA; expanded polyethylene terephthalate, ePET; expanded polybutylene terephthalate, ePBT; expanded thermoplastic polyester ether elastomer, eTPEE.

[0052] Moreover, the expanded particles are randomly arranged inside the cushioning element 110. Alternatively, the expanded particles may be arranged with a certain pattern inside the cushioning element 110. Further features of the cushioning element 110 will be explained with respect to FIG. 2c.

[0053] The sole plate 120 includes a material with fibers. Carbon fibers or carbon fiber composite materials may be possible materials, because they are lightweight yet exceptionally strong. Glass or Glass fibers are also conceivable materials, because they are fairly cheap and are moisture resistant as well as have a high strength to weight ratio. Moreover, glass fibers may be processed in various ways. Additionally or alternatively, any material or mixture of materials which may provide sufficient stiffness in combination with a low weight that may be engineered to provide flexibility in certain angles may be used.

[0054] The assembled sole element 100 may include a first height at the metatarsal region 124 of the assembled sole element 100 in the range of 8-17 mm, preferably 10-15 mm, most preferably 11-14 mm, and/or a second height at the heel region 121 of the assembled sole element 100 in the range of 16-26 mm, preferably 18-24 mm, most preferably 19-23 mm.

[0055] FIG. 2b shows two lateral views of the exemplary sole plate 120 together with the first reinforcing element 130 of the sole element 100, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2a. The first reinforcing element 130 is arranged below the sole plate 120 so that the wearing comfort is not compromised for a long-distance runner. Therefore, the first reinforcing element 130 may also be adapted to the curvature of the sole plate 120.

[0056] The first reinforcing element 130 is arranged in the midfoot region 122 of the sole plate 120. The first reinforcing element may act as a torsion and/or stabilizing element in the midfoot region 122 and provide additional midfoot bending support and increased midfoot bending stiffness to a long-distance runner. In particular, together with the first bending stiffness below the first dorsal flexion angle of the sole plate 120, an optimized ratio of bending for midfoot region 122 may be maintained to avoid any injuries to the foot, because the midfoot region 122 of the sole element 120 should be stiffer than other regions, e.g., the forefoot region 123. Additionally or alternatively, a plurality of first reinforcing elements is also conceivable to improve this effect. Some of this plurality of first reinforcing elements may also be arranged in other regions of the sole plate 120 to provide more stiffness.

[0057] The first reinforcing element 130 includes a thermoplastic polyurethane, TPU, which is very abrasion-resistant and tear-resistant. It is also conceivable that other appropriate materials may be used, e.g., carbon, polyamide, rubber, polypropylene, PP, polystyrene, PS, etc. or that a material with fibers may be used as mentioned above for the sole plate 120.

[0058] The first reinforcing element 130 further includes three elongated protrusions 135. They may provide more stiffness in the midfoot region 122 of the sole element 120 and improved stability for torsional movements. More or less protrusions are also conceivable depending on the requirements of the long-distance runner. Non-elongated shapes having a geometrical profile such as dots, rectangles, triangles, etc. may also be used. The protrusions 135 also ensure a better attachment, grip or fit of the first reinforcing element to the midsole 105.

[0059] FIG. 2c shows a lateral view of the midsole 105 with the cushioning element 110 and the second reinforcing element 140 of the sole element 100, as shown in FIG. 2a.

[0060] The second reinforcing element 140 includes ethylene-vinyl acetate, EVA, which distinguishes itself by a high stability and relatively good cushioning properties. It is also conceivable that other appropriate materials may be used, e.g., thermoplastic polyurethane, TPU, rubber, polypropylene, PP, or polystyrene, PS, etc. or that a material with fibers may be used as mentioned above for the sole plate 120 and the first reinforcing element 130.

[0061] As can be seen in FIG. 2c, the second reinforcing element 140 wraps the cushioning element 110 of the midsole 105 at least partly. In other words, a rim may be provided for further stability of the cushioning element 110 and thus for the midsole 105 and for the sole element 100. Moreover, such a rim together with the sole plate 120 and the first reinforcing element 130 provides better energy return, ample cushioning, lesser weight and improved stability.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 2a, the second reinforcing element 140 is essentially U shaped and wraps the cushioning element 110 along the medial side around the toe region 125 to the lateral side of the midsole 105. Additionally or alternatively, the second reinforcing element 140 may wrap essentially the whole perimeter of the cushioning element 110 in order to provide increased stability.

[0063] The midsole 105 includes a recess 115 adapted to receive the first reinforcing element 130 and the sole plate 120 on top of the midsole 105. Such an arrangement together with the anisotropic bending property of the sole plate 120 provides optimum bending properties together with optimum wearing comfort for the wearer of a shoe.

[0064] Moreover, if the first reinforcing element 130 as shown in FIG. 2b is received on top of the midsole 105, it will be at least partly surrounded by the midsole 105. This embedding of the first reinforcing element 130 enables additional support to the midsole 105, because the occurring forces during running may be distributed uniformly to the material of the midsole 105 and an undesired shifting of the first reinforcing element 130 may be avoided.

[0065] The recess 115 may have a depth in the range of 0.8-1.8 mm, preferably 1.0-1.6 mm, most preferably 1.1-1.5 mm. Thus, the sole plate 120 and the first reinforcing element 130 sit flush in the midsole 105. Moreover, the recess 115 includes three elongated grooves 116 adapted to receive the three elongated protrusions 135 of the first reinforcing element 130 as shown in FIG. 2b.

[0066] FIG. 2d shows a lateral view of the outsole element 150 of the sole element 100, as shown in FIG. 2a.

[0067] The outsole element 150 may be pre-manufactured, for example, by injection molding, compression molding, thermoforming or any other methods of converting 2D designs to 3D moldings as known to the skilled person in the art.

[0068] As can be seen in FIG. 2d, the outsole element 150 includes a first unconnected portion 150a and a second unconnected portion 150b, wherein the first unconnected portion 150a includes a first plurality of shaped protrusions being different from a second plurality of shaped protrusions of the second unconnected portion 150b.

[0069] The first plurality of shaped protrusions of the first unconnected portion 150a has a triangular profile to provide increased slip resistance to a long-distance runner during a heel strike. Additionally or alternatively, other profiles such a circular, angular or other geometrical shapes are also conceivable.

[0070] The second plurality of shaped protrusions of the second unconnected portion 150b includes an elongated straight shape. A first subset of the second plurality extends transversal, i.e., from a medial side of the outsole element 150 to a lateral side of the outsole element 150, or vice versa. A second subset of the second plurality extends longitudinally, i.e., from a heel region of the outsole element 150 to a toe region of the outsole element 150, or vice versa. Thus, the two subsets of the second unconnected portion 150b form a regular pattern. Additionally or alternatively, other geometries of the two subset or more than two subsets are also conceivable.

[0071] FIG. 2e shows a longitudinal section of an exemplary sole element 100 according to the present invention.

[0072] The sole plate 120 may allow a drop of the heel region 121 to the forefoot region 123 of the assembled sole element 100 in the range of 5-15 mm, preferably around 8-12 mm, most preferably 9-11 mm. The term “drop” as used in the present application is defined as the difference between the height of the sole element 100 at the heel region 121 of the sole element 100 and the height of the sole element 100 at the forefoot region 123 of the sole element 100. In other words, it is the offset in height between the heel region 121 of the sole element 100 and the forefoot region 123 of the sole element 100.

[0073] FIG. 2f shows a top view of an exemplary sole element 100 according to the present invention. In this embodiment, a flexing or bending position is along the metatarsal joint region 123b, wherein this position may be defined as the following: 70 to 75% of the sole plate 120 lengths on the medial side and 60 to 65% of the sole plate 120 on the lateral side.