A SOLE FOR A SHOE

Abstract

A sole for a shoe may be provided. In one implementation, the sole may include an outsole having a ground contacting surface and a foot facing surface, and an injection-molded midsole configured to be positioned between the outsole and the foot of the user. The outsole may include at least a first projection and a second projection that extend from the foot facing surface towards the midsole, each projection having a proximal part joined to the foot facing surface and a distal part opposite from the proximal part, so that the distal part extends into the midsole. The polymer material of the midsole may extend into a space between the first projection and the second projection so that the polymer material provides a coupling between the first projection and the second projection in an area that is distal to the proximal parts of the first and second projections.

Claims

1. A sole for a shoe comprising: an outsole having a ground contacting surface and a foot facing surface opposite from the ground contacting surface, the outsole having a peripheral edge defining an outer periphery of the outsole; and a midsole having a foot facing surface and an outsole facing surface opposite from the foot facing surface, the midsole being injection molded from a polymer material so that the midsole is configured to be positioned between the outsole and a foot of a user while the user wears the shoe, wherein the outsole comprises at least a first projection and a second projection that extend from the foot facing surface and in a direction towards the midsole, each of the first projection and second projection comprising: a proximal part joined to the foot facing surface, and a distal part opposite from the proximal part, so that the distal part of the first projection and the distal part of the second projection extend into the midsole of the sole, wherein the first projection and the second projection are positioned adjacent to each other and define a space between the first projection and the second projection, and wherein the polymer material of the midsole extends into the space defined between the first projection and the second projection so that the polymer material provides a coupling between the first projection and the second projection in an area that is distal to the proximal parts of the first projection and the second projection.

2. A sole for a shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein a thickness of the outsole in an area of the first projection or second projection is larger than the thickness of the outsole in an area devoid of a projection.

3. A sole for a shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first projection has a side wall and the second projection has a side wall, and wherein the polymer material connects the side wall of the first projection to the side wall of the second projection.

4. A sole for a shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the polymer material fills the space defined between the first projection and the second projection.

5. A sole for a shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the first projection or the second projection extends longitudinally along a plane of the foot facing surface of the outsole.

6. A sole for a shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the first projection or the second projection extends from the peripheral edge of the outsole and in a direction inwards towards a central part of the outsole.

7. A sole for a shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the outsole further comprises: a third projection and a fourth projection that is adjacent to the third projection, wherein the polymer material of the midsole extends into a space defined between the third and fourth projections to couple the third and fourth projections to each other.

8. A sole for a shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the sole comprises a direct injected midsole.

9. A sole for a shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first and the second projections extend in parallel along the foot facing surface.

10. A sole for a shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the first and the second projections extend at an angle towards each other.

11. A sole for a shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the first projection or the second projection has a variable height along the length of the at least one projection.

12. A sole for a shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the first projection or the second projection has an annular cross-sectional shape.

13. A sole for a shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the first projection or the second projection has a first width in the proximal part thereof and a second width in the distal part thereof, the first width being different than the second width.

14. A sole for a shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least one of the first projection or the second projection is solid from the proximal part thereof to the distal part thereof.

15. A sole for a shoe in accordance with claim 1, wherein the proximal part of at least one of the first projection or the second projection is joined to the foot facing surface across an entire width between one side wall of the at least one projection to an opposing side wall of the at least one projection, relative to a cross sectional direction of the at least one projection.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] The invention is explained in detail below with reference to the drawings, in which

[0042] FIG. 1a and 1b is a top and perspective view of one embodiment of an outsole in accordance with the invention,

[0043] FIG. 2a-2c is a sectional view of shoe having a sole in accordance with the invention,

[0044] FIGS. 3a and 3b is a top and perspective view of one embodiment of an outsole in accordance with the invention,

[0045] FIGS. 4a and 4b is a top and perspective view of one embodiment of an outsole in accordance with the invention,

[0046] FIGS. 5a and 5b is a top and perspective view of one embodiment of an outsole in accordance with the invention, and

[0047] FIGS. 6a and 6b is a top and perspective view of one embodiment of an outsole in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The use of the terms first, second, third and fourth, primary, secondary, tertiary etc. does not imply any particular order, but are included to identify individual elements. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, third and fourth, primary, secondary, tertiary etc. does not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, third and fourth, primary, secondary, tertiary etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Note that the words first, second, third and fourth, primary, secondary, tertiary etc. are used here and elsewhere for labelling purposes only and are not intended to denote any specific spatial or temporal ordering.

[0049] Furthermore, the labelling of a first element does not imply the presence of a second element and vice versa.

[0050] It is to be noted that the word comprising does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed.

[0051] It is to be noted that the words a or an preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0052] It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the exemplary embodiments may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several means, units or devices may be represented by the same item of hardware.

[0053] In the following the reference numbers relating to similar parts of the invention of different embodiments will have the same reference numbers

[0054] FIG. 1a and 1b shows an outsole 1 in accordance with the invention, where the outsole 1 comprises a foot facing surface 2 and an opposite ground contacting surface 3, where the outsole has a peripheral edge 4 defining the outer periphery of the outsole 1. The outsole 1 comprises a forefoot area 5, a heel area 6 and an arch area 7, where the arch area 7 extends between the forefoot area 5 and the heel area 6.

[0055] The ground contacting surface 3 of the outsole 1 may have any type of suitable surface, where the outsole may comprise treads 8, or alternatively comprise spikes, cleats, pads, or any type of suitable ground contacting surface that is suitable for the specific use of the outsole 1.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 the outsole is provided with a plurality of projections 9, that extend from the peripheral edge 4 in the heel area 6 and inwards towards the body 10 of the outsole. The projections 9 in this embodiment may be seen as being of two different types, where the outsole 1 comprises central projections 11, as well as two projections 12, 13 that are positioned on the medial side 14 of the heel area 6 and on the lateral side 15 of the heel area 6. The central projections 11 are intended to provide stability both in the longitudinal and transversal direction of the sole, where the projections increase the stability in a heel strike, where an in increase in rigidity in the longitudinal direction provides an improved comfort, while the increase in lateral rigidity improves the stability and predictability of the sole. The medial 12 and peripheral projections 13 also improve the stability of the sole, so that the peripheral area of the sole has an increased rigidity and a reduced risk that the medial and peripheral sides of the sole may collapse during gait.

[0057] By having the central projections 9 extending a shorter longitudinal distance than the peripheral 12 and medial 13 projections, it is possible to maintain a softness of the sole in the heel area, especially in the area 16 that is configured to be below calcaneus bone of the foot, and thereby improving the comfort level of the sole, while the central projections 11 and the peripheral projections 12, 13 may be configured support the calcaneus from the back and from the medial and lateral sides.

[0058] FIG. 2a-2c shows numerous sectional views of a heel area of a sole 17, similar to that shown in FIG. 1, where the sole comprises a midsole 18 and the outsole 1, where the sole is direct injection moulded to an upper 19 of a shoe 20. The outsole comprises a foot facing surface 2 and an opposing ground contacting surface 3, where the outsole comprises a plurality of projections 11, 12, 13 extending in a direction away from the foot facing surface 2 of the outsole 1, and towards the foot facing surface 21 of the midsole 18. The projections have a proximal part 22 and a distal part 23, where the distal part extends in a direction towards the foot facing surface of the midsole 21.

[0059] The projections 11, 12, 13 of the outsole 1 are provided in such a way that there is a space 24 between any of the two projections 11, 12, 13, where the polymeric material of the midsole 18 is intended to fill when the midsole is injected in a space between the upper 19 and the outsole 1. Here it can be seen that it is the midsole material 18 that connects the outsole 1 to the upper 19. The polymeric material of the midsole 18 that fills the space 24 between the projections 11, 12, 13 ensures that at least two adjacent projection 11, 12, 13 are coupled to each other, so that the synergy of the midsole material and the projections 11, 12, 13 create a reinforcement element in the sole 17 of the shoe, where the reinforcement element reinforces a predefined area of the sole 17. In this embodiment the reinforcement of the sole 17 is intended in the heel area of the sole. This also allows the production of a shoe without introducing a separate reinforcement element into the shoe, such as a shank or a stiffening rib inside or outside the midsole.

[0060] FIGS. 3a and 3b is a top and perspective view of one embodiment of an outsole 1 in accordance with the invention, where the outsole comprises a plurality of projections 25, that extend from the peripheral edge 4 in the arch 7 and forefoot area 5, and extend substantially diagonally towards the forefoot end 26 of the outsole 1. The projections shown in this embodiment may be utilized to stabilize the lateral forefoot part 27 of the sole. This example may e.g. be a hiking boot where the projections are provided in this area to improve the stability of the takeoff during gait, where the sole provides for a stable lateral forefoot area so that when a user e.g. sets off at an incline, the stability may be improved when the set off is done on the reinforced side.

[0061] FIGS. 4a and 4b is a top and perspective view of one embodiment of an outsole 1 in accordance with the invention, where the outsole comprises a plurality of projections 28, where the projections are tapered seen both from the side and from the top, from a peripheral edge 4 of the heel area 6, and extend inwards towards the heel area 6 where the width and/or the height of the projections 28 reduce on the way inwards towards the heel area 6. This may be utilized where the peripheral area of the heel area of the sole needs more stability than the central are of the heel area of the sole.

[0062] FIGS. 5a and 5b is a top and perspective view of one embodiment of an outsole 1 in accordance with the invention, where the outsole comprises a plurality of projections 29, where the projections 29 are in the form of a plurality of circular projections 30, 31 that differ in size, and are provided with a space in the area between the projections. The outermost projection 30 has the largest diameter, while the next projection 31 has a slightly smaller diameter, so that there is created a volume 32 between the projections 30, 31 where a midsole material can fill up the space, and create a synergistic reinforcement element of both a midsole material and the outsole material in the form of the projections 29, 30, 31. This may be utilized where a sole needs a reduced absorption of the impact during gait, and where the projections are positioned at a short distance from the sole of the foot to increase the stability and/or reduce any absorption. This may e.g. when the sole is used in a running shoe.

[0063] FIGS. 6a and 6b is a top and perspective view of one embodiment of an outsole 1 in accordance with the invention, where the outsole comprises a plurality of projections 33, where the projections extend in a heel area 6 and an arch area 7 of the outsole 1 from one peripheral edge, i.e. the lateral peripheral edge 34, to the opposing peripheral edge, e.g. the medial peripheral edge 35. These projections are intended to provide an increased rigidity in the heel 6 and arch area 7 of the shoe, where the distance between the projections 36, along the length of the projections can vary, and thereby allow for a non-uniform increase in rigidity along the length of the projections. By providing the projections in this manner, it may be possible to adapt the shoe for a specific gait of the user, i.e. where the user needs shoes that stabilize a pronating food during gait. The direction and the shape of the projections may be inversed, where the main stability is on the medial side of the foot, in order to compensate for at supinating gait.

[0064] Furthermore, the width and the height of the projections, in all of the embodiments may be adjusted, as well as the distance between the projections, in order to provide a suitable rigidity of the sole.

[0065] It is to be understood that the person skilled in the art would have no problem in combining one embodiment shown in the invention with the other embodiments disclosed.

[0066] Although features have been shown and described, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the claimed invention, and it will be made obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense. The claimed invention is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents.