Sole for a shoe

Abstract

A sole for a sports shoe comprises a plurality of profile elements and a friction element. The profile elements are distributed such that the friction element can contact a sports ball to increase the friction between a lower side of the sole and the sports ball.

Claims

1. A sole for a sports shoe comprising: a plurality of first profile elements comprising four studs disposed in a forefoot portion of the sole, the four studs arranged in a forward pair and a rearward pair; a friction element extending between the forward pair and the rearward pair from a lateral edge of the sole to a medial side of the sole, wherein the friction element comprises a material which provides a greater friction with a sports ball compared to a material of the plurality of first profile elements; and a plurality of second profile elements on the sole, wherein the plurality of second profile elements are elongated and extend from the lateral edge to the medial side of the sole in the forefoot portion forward of the friction element and in a heel portion rearward of the friction element, and wherein the four studs are distributed such that the friction element can contact a sports ball to increase the friction between a lower side of the sole and the sports ball.

2. The sole of claim 1, wherein the plurality of profile elements are adapted to penetrate the ground.

3. The sole of claim 1, wherein the friction element is permanently attached to the sole.

4. The sole of claim 1, wherein the friction element comprises an outer layer of rubber that is provided on a textile layer.

5. The sole of claim 1, further comprising a recess for receiving the friction element.

6. The sole of claim 1, wherein the plurality of second profile elements are distributed around and extend radially from each of the four studs.

7. The sole of claim 6, wherein the four studs are essentially radially symmetric.

8. The sole of claim 6, wherein the plurality of first profile elements further comprises studs arranged in a heel portion of the sole.

9. The sole of claim 6, wherein the plurality of second profile elements are smaller in height than the four studs.

10. The sole of claim 6, wherein the plurality of second profile elements have a longitudinal extension which is larger than a diameter of the four studs.

11. The sole of claim 1, wherein the plurality of second profile elements are arranged lattice-like.

12. A sports shoe comprising a sole according to claim 1.

13. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the friction element extends at least partly across an upper of the shoe.

14. The shoe of claim 13, wherein the friction element at least partly encompasses a forefoot portion of the upper and the forefoot portion of the sole.

15. The shoe of claim 13, wherein the shoe comprises one or more further friction elements, which are arranged in a heel portion of the upper.

16. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the shoe comprises one or more further friction elements, which are arranged in a heel portion of the sole.

17. The sole of claim 1, wherein each of the forward pair and the rearward pair comprises a medial stud and a lateral stud, and wherein the lateral studs are spaced farther apart from each other than the medial studs.

18. The sole of claim 1, wherein a width of the friction element decreases from a lateral side of the sole to the medial side of the sole.

19. The sole of claim 1, wherein the friction element extends to a medial edge of the sole.

20. A sole for a sports shoe comprising: a plurality of first profile elements comprising studs disposed in a forefoot portion of the sole; a friction element that extends from a lateral edge of the sole to a medial side of the sole in the forefoot portion of the sole, wherein the friction element provides a greater friction with a sports ball compared to a material of the plurality of first profile elements; and a plurality of second profile elements arranged in a lattice-pattern in the forefoot portion of the sole forward of the friction element and in the heel portion of the sole rearward of the friction element.

21. The sole of claim 20, wherein each of the plurality of second profile elements comprises a triangular cross sectional area.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Possible embodiments of the present invention will be described in more detail in the subsequent detailed description with reference to the following figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a sole with profile elements and with a recess for a friction element according to some embodiments.

(3) FIG. 2 shows a sole with a friction element and first and second profile elements according to some embodiments.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a shoe with a sole and with friction elements according to some embodiments.

(5) FIG. 4A, 4B shows a sole with a friction element and first and second profile elements according to some embodiments.

(6) FIG. 5A, 5B shows cross sectional views of second profile elements according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(7) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below mainly with reference to soccer shoes for simplicity. However, the concept of the present invention may similarly be applied to other types of sports shoes, e.g., rugby shoes, mountain bike shoes or snowboard shoes.

(8) Moreover, for brevity only a few embodiments can be described in the following. The skilled person will recognize that the specific features described with reference to these embodiments may be modified and combined differently and that individual features may also be omitted if they are not essential. The general explanations in the sections above will also be valid for the following more detailed explanations.

(9) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment for a sole 100, e.g., an outsole, for a shoe, in particular for a soccer shoe or an urban soccer shoe. The sole 100 comprises a plurality of first profile elements 151-153 which are arranged in the forefoot portion 110 of the sole 100 and in the heel portion 120 of the sole 100. Moreover, the sole 100 comprises a plurality of second profile elements 155 which are arranged in the forefoot portion 110, the heel portion 120 and also in a midfoot portion. The first and second profile elements 151-153, 155 are adapted to provide the sole 100 with stability on the ground. In addition, the sole 100 comprises a recess 131 in the forefoot portion 110, which is adapted to receive a friction element for contacting a sports ball 10 to increase the friction between the lower side of the sole 110 and the sports ball 10. The first and second profile elements 151-153, 155 are distributed on the sole such that the friction element placed in the recess 131 may provide an area of contact between the lower side of the sole 100 and the ball 10. That is, the dimensions of the profile elements and the distances of the profile elements to each other are designed such that an area of contact between the sports ball 10, e.g., a soccer ball, and the friction element on the lower side of the sole is enabled. An area of contact may, e.g., be provided for a typical soccer ball (size 5) having a perimeter of 68-70 cm. However, also an area of contact adapted for smaller size sports halls may be provided. The sole 100 may be monolithic, i.e. the first and second profile elements may be fabricated together with the sole in a one-step procedure, e.g., via injection molding or other methods, e.g., 3D-printing. In other embodiments, the first and/or second profile elements may be fabricated separately. The materials of the first and second profile elements may be different. Optionally, the second profile elements and base portions of the first profile elements may be fabricated in a one-step procedure together with the sole, and an additional fabrication step may be used to provide top portions of the first profile elements. It is also possible first to provide top portions of the first profile element and afterwards in an additional fabrication step, the second profile elements and base portions of the first profile elements are provided.

(10) The recess 131 extends from a lateral to a medial side of the forefoot portion 110. Moreover, the recess 131 comprises an average width of approximately 2-8 cm, or 3-7 cm, depending on the size of the shoe the sole 100 is intended for. The first profile elements 151 and 152 are arranged at a distance to each other that is slightly larger than the width of the recess 131, e.g., 5-10 cm, depending on their height. Depending on the thickness of the friction element that is to be inserted into the recess 131, the depth of the recess may vary in the range of, e.g., 0.25-5 mm, 0.5-4 mm or 1-3 mm. In some embodiments, the recess 131 is designed such that the friction element is flush with the lower side of the sole 100. The above dimensions indicated with respect to the recess 131 thus may also apply to the friction element to be inserted into the recess 131. Providing a recess 131 for the friction element may improve the durability of the connection between the friction element and the sole 100. However, a recess 131 is not required to provide a durable connection and may thus in other embodiments also be omitted. The first profile elements 151, 152 are arranged around the recess 131 which is provided for the friction element.

(11) The first profile elements 151-153 have a general cylindrical shape which may be tapered towards the ground. The diameter of the first profile elements 151-153 at their top may be in the range of 4-15 mm, or in the range of 6-12 mm. The bottom diameter of the first profile elements 151-153 may be in the range of 50-80% of the top diameter, or in the range of 60%-70% of the top diameter. The first profile elements 151-152 in the forefoot portion 110 may have a smaller diameter than the first profile elements 153 in the heel portion 120. Their diameter may be reduced by 0-40% or by 10-30%. The height of the first profile elements 151-153 may be in the range of 3-15 mm, or in the range of 4-10 mm. The height of first profile elements 151-152 in the forefoot portion 110 may be smaller than that of first profile elements 153 in the heel portion 120. For example, first profile elements 151-152 in the forefoot portion 110 may comprise a height of 6-8 mm, whereas first profile elements 153 in the heel portion 120 may comprise a height of 9-12 mm. Also, within the forefoot and/or heel portion 110, 120, respectively, the dimensions of the first profile elements 151-153 may vary. For example, one or more first profile elements in a front portion of the forefoot portion 110, e.g., a toe portion, may comprise a height of approximately 5 mm, whereas one or more first profile elements in a rear portion of the forefoot portion 110 may comprise a height of approximately 6 mm. As a further example, one or more first profile elements in a front portion of the heel portion 120, i.e. a portion closer to the forefoot portion 110, may comprise a height of approximately 9 mm, whereas one or more first profile elements in a rear portion of the heel portion 120 may comprise a height of approximately 10 mm. In other embodiments, a first profile element with non-radially-symmetric shapes may be provided, e.g., rectangular, quadratic, triangular etc. The heights and diameters indicated above for cylindrically shaped first profile elements may also be used for these non-radially-symmetric shapes.

(12) In embodiments of sole 100, the second profile elements 155 have a lower height than the first profile elements 151-153. A second profile element 155 may have an average height in the range of 0.5-10 mm, 1-8 mm, or 2-6 mm. The second profile elements 155 are elongate and distributed around the first profile element 152, wherein they extend radially therefrom. In embodiments of sole 100, the elongate second profile elements 155 each has a longitudinal extension which is larger than a diameter of the first profile element 152. Second profile elements 155 may extend from a first profile element in the forefoot portion 110 to a first profile element in the heel portion 120.

(13) FIG. 2 shows an embodiment for a sole 200. The sole 200 comprises a plurality of first profile elements 250 arranged in a forefoot portion 210 and a heel portion 220 of the sole. Moreover, the sole 200 comprises a plurality of second profile elements 255. The first and second profile elements 250, 255 are arranged in regions 260. The regions 260 are provided in a front portion (e.g., toe portion) and a rear portion of the forefoot portion 210, in the heel portion 120 and a lateral side of a midfoot portion of the sole 200. The sole 200 moreover comprises a friction element 230 which is arranged in the forefoot portion 210. The friction element 230 extends from a medial side to a lateral side of the forefoot portion 210, wherein its width on average decreases from the lateral to the medial side of the sole 200. It is also possible that the width of the friction element 230 decreases from the medial to the lateral side of the sole 200. Further it is possible that the width of the friction element 230 keeps constant from the medial to the lateral side of the sole 200 or varies like an S-curve. It may, for example, have a width of more than 2 cm or more than 4 cm. In other embodiments, the friction element 230 may not extend from the lateral to the medial side. Instead it may be arranged on a lateral side, a medial side or in a region, e.g., in the center of the forefoot portion 210. Such a friction element may have a lateral extension of 2-10 mm, 3-8 mm or 3-6 mm. It may comprise a lateral extension covering more than , , or of the lateral extension of the forefoot portion 210 of the sole 200. The friction element 230 may be arranged in a recess of the sole 200. It is also possible that the friction element 230 extends from the lateral side in direction to the medial side, however not totally up to the medial side. This enables that the medial side is free of any friction element. The medial side is often used for kicking a ball. So if there is no friction element on the medial side, the wear out of the friction element can be reduced.

(14) The friction element 230 may comprise a base layer on which a layer of rubber may be rolled, sprayed, injected, screen printed etc. For example, a rubber material may be deposited on the base layer to achieve a desired shape or pattern of the rubber material on the base layer. In an embodiment, a rubber material may be applied in liquid or otherwise pliable form and subsequently a surface structure may be created within the rubber layer by means of a stamp etc. or an essentially flat rubber layer may be created. The rubber material may then be dried, e.g., with heat. In some embodiments a contiguous layer of rubber is applied on the base layer and/or a regular surface structure pattern is created thereon to provide a homogeneous degree of friction on the outer surface of the friction element 230. In other embodiments, specific areas of the friction element 230 may be provided with different properties. This may be particularly the case if the friction element 230 extends over a large area, possibly including a portion on an upper of a shoe, as will be explained with respect to FIG. 3. A base layer may, for example, comprise a textile layer, e.g., knitted, non-woven or woven material. A friction element comprising, e.g., rubber may, however, also be applied on the sole without a base layer. Instead of rubber it is also possible to use, for example, TPU or silicone, Which may be rolled, sprayed, injected or screen printed on the base layer.

(15) In embodiments of sole 200, an additional friction element 232 is attached to the sole 200 at a medial side of the midfoot portion such that improved control of a ball may be achieved there also. In other embodiments different and/or further friction elements may be added, e. g. in the heel portion.

(16) The profile elements 250 and 255 of the sole 200 may be designed as explained with reference to FIG. 1. Four first profile elements 250 may be provided in the forefoot portion 210, wherein each of the front portion, and rear portion of the forefoot portion 210 comprises a pair of first profile elements 250. One first profile element 250 of each pair is arranged at a lateral side and the other one is arranged at a medial side of the sole 200. The two first profile elements 250 at the lateral side of the sole 200 may be spaced farther apart from each other than those two at the medial side. In addition, three first profile elements 250 may be provided in the heel portion 220 of the sole 200. Two of them may be arranged at the lateral side of the sole 200 and the third one may be arranged at the medial side of the sole 200, approximately equally spaced in between the two on the lateral side. A second profile element 255 may extend across the entire midfoot portion and/or connect first profile elements 250 in the forefoot portion 210 and the heel portion 220 of the sole 200. A second profile element 255 may extend from a first profile element 250 on the lateral side of the forefoot portion 210 to a first profile element 250 on the medial side of the heel portion 220. This may strengthen the sole in the midfoot portion. The second profile elements 255 which extend across the entire midfoot portion are designed to support sideward movements. One or more of the second profile elements 255 may have a longitudinal extension of more than 3 cm, more than 6 cm, or more than 9 cm. Adjacent second profile elements 255 may be approximately spaced by 1-15 mm, 3-12 mm, or 4-10 mm. Around a first profile element 250 second profile elements 255 may be approximately equally spaced. In one quadrant around a first profile element 250, e.g., 2-12, 3-9 or 4-5 second profile elements 255 may be arranged.

(17) Further second profile elements 255 may extend in the forefoot portion or a front portion thereof (e.g., toe portion). The second profile elements 255 in the front portion are designed to support fast sprinting movements.

(18) Further second profile elements 255 may extend in a rear portion of the sole (e. g. heel portion). The second profile elements 255 in the heel portion are designed to support a grip on the ground.

(19) FIG. 3 shows a top and a side view of an embodiment of a shoe 300, in particular a soccer shoe or an urban soccer shoe. The shoe 300 comprises a sole 301 with a plurality of first profile elements 350 and second profile elements 355 which may be designed as explained with respect to FIGS. 1 and/or 2. In embodiments of sole 301, the transition between the first profile elements 355 and the lower surface of the sole 301 may be designed to be smoother than in the soles 100 and 200 of FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. The first profile elements 350 are also tapered and, on their narrower end, they may comprise a diameter of 4-12 mm, or 6.10 mm. The second profile elements 355 of the sole 301 may be substantially similar to those as explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The sole 301 also comprises an optional heel reinforcement portion 390.

(20) As can be seen from FIG. 3, the profile elements 350, 355 of the sole are arranged such that an area of contact 370 may be provided between the lower surface of the sole 301 and a sports ball, e.g., a soccer ball. A friction element 330 is arranged on the sole 301 such that a ball may contact the friction element 330 on the lower side of the sole 301 to provide increased friction between the lower side of the sole 301 and the sports ball. The friction element 330 also extends partly across the upper of the shoe 300. In particular, the friction element 330 extends from a medial side of a forefoot portion of the upper around the area 370 of the sole 301 to a lateral side of the forefoot portion of the upper. The friction element 330 may be partly wrapped around the forefoot portion of the shoe 300. Both ends of the friction element 330 are adapted to each other such that these are arranged adjacent to each other with a small gap 355 on the upper of the shoe 300.

(21) As a result, an almost 360 area of contact with increased ball control is provided in the forefoot portion of the shoe 300 by friction element 330. In other embodiments, the gap 335 may be shaped differently or no such gap may be provided. If no gap or at least no continuous gap is provided, the friction element 330 encompasses the forefoot portion. In some embodiments, the friction element 330 may fully encompass the forefoot and/or other portions of the shoe 300. Alternatively, the friction element 330 may partly encompass the forefoot portion of the shoe, e.g., leaving open a toe portion of the shoe 300. Optionally, the friction element 330 may comprise one or more slots 336.

(22) The friction element 330 may be glued to the surface of the upper and the sole 301, respectively, wherein the lower side of the friction element may be adapted to durably connect with the upper and the sole 301, respectively. The friction element 330 may also be used to tighten the shoe 300. For example, the friction element may be applied, e.g., wrapped, around the forefoot portion under tension, such that the forefoot portion is tensioned. As an option, the friction element 330 may not be glued to the upper and/or the sole 301. The friction element 330 may be provided removably connected to the sole and/or the upper, for example, by a hook and loop fastener on the upper and/or the sole side of the friction element 330 to tighten the friction element 330 such that it may be used to tighten the forefoot portion of the shoe 300. Instead of a hook and loop fastener suitable glues, screws or the like could be used. Thus, it would be possible to replace a used friction element 330 by a new friction element 330, for example, when the friction element 330 is worn-out or when a friction element 330 with a different grade of friction is needed. It is also possible that removable friction elements 330 have different colors, so that a removably connected friction element 330 can be replaced by another friction element 330 in a different color. Further it is possible that the removable friction elements 330 have different materials or different designs. For example, a first friction element 330 can be used for wet conditions and a second friction element 330 can be used for dry conditions. For this reason the removable friction elements 330 can comprise different materials, for example, rubber, silicone, TPU, textile materials or other materials which provide suitable friction with a ball or combinations thereof. For example, in the case that the friction element 330 comprises a base layer on which a layer of rubber or the like is attached, the rubber material may be deposited on the base layer in different ways to create different shapes or patterns of the rubber material on the base layer. Different shapes or pattern may lead to different friction characteristics, Thus, it is possible to create friction elements 330 with different coefficients of friction.

(23) It is also possible that the friction element 330 is wrapped around the forefoot portion of the shoe 300 in a way that distal ends of the friction element 330 are overlapping each other, e.g. in a middle region of the forefoot portion of the upper and/or the sole 301. In this case a first distal end is attached to a second distal end, whereby the second distal end is attached to the upper and/or sole 301.

(24) In addition to the friction element 330 one or more further friction elements 380 may be provided on the shoe 300. These may be arranged in various portions of the upper and/or the sole 301 in which increased friction is desirable. Friction, elements 380 may be attached to the upper in the same manner as described with respect to friction element 330. Additionally or alternatively one or more friction elements 380 may not cover a portion of the sole 301 and/or may be attached to the upper around the lower side of the upper before attaching the sole 301 to the upper of the shoe 300. The one or more further friction elements 380 may be arranged essentially flush with the friction element 330 on the upper and/or the sole 301. The one or more further friction elements 380 and the friction element 330 may not overlap, and gaps may be provided between the friction elements. It is also possible that the friction elements 330, 380 are at least partly overlapping each other, whereby the friction elements 330, 380 are also attached to each other. Further it is possible that the wrapped around friction element 330 is attached to one of the further friction elements 380 and not to the upper.

(25) FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show an embodiment for a sole 400. The sole 400 comprises a plurality of first profile elements 450 arranged in a forefoot portion 410 and a heel portion 420 of the sole. Moreover, the sole comprises a plurality of second profile elements 455. The first and second profile elements 450, 455 are arranged in regions 460. The regions 460 are provided in a front portion (e.g., toe portion) and a rear portion of the forefoot portion 410, in a midfoot portion, and in the heel portion 420. The sole 400 moreover comprises a friction element 430 which is arranged in the forefoot portion 410. The friction element 430 may be arranged between the front portion and the rear portion of the forefoot portion 410. The friction element 430 extends from a medial side to a lateral side of the forefoot portion 410, wherein its width on average decreases from the lateral to the medial side of the sole 400. The friction element 430 can be designed and/or arranged as described in connection with FIGS. 1-3.

(26) The first profile elements 450 of the sole 400 may be designed as explained with reference to FIGS. 1-3. For example, four first profile elements 450 may be provided in the forefoot portion 410, wherein each of the front portion and rear portion of the forefoot portion 410 comprises a pair of first profile elements 450. One first profile element 450 of each pair is arranged at a lateral side and the other one is arranged at a medial side of the sole 400. The two first profile elements 450 at the lateral side of the sole 400 may be spaced farther apart from each other than those two at the medial side. In addition, three first profile elements 450 may be provided in the heel portion 420 of the sole 400. Two of them may be arranged at the lateral side of the sole 400 and the third one may be arranged at the medial side of the sole 400, approximately equally spaced in between the two on the lateral side.

(27) In embodiments of sole 400, the second profile elements 455 have a lower height than the first profile elements 450. In embodiments of sole 400 the second profile elements 455 are arranged lattice-like. Second profile elements 455 may extend from a first profile element 450 in the forefoot portion 410 to a first profile element 450 in the heel portion 420.

(28) The second profile elements 455 are elongate and distributed around the first profile elements 450. Some of the second profile elements 455 cross each other. As shown in FIG. 4A, there are crossing points and/or connection points 470 of the second profile elements 455. At the crossing points and/or connection points 470 there can be cavities 480 as shown in FIG. 4B. There also can be cavities 480 between the first profile elements 450 and the second profile elements 455 as shown also in FIG. 4B. The cavities 480 may comprise sharp corners pointing towards the heel portion 420, and/or smooth corners pointing towards the toe portion of the sole 400, as exemplarily shown in FIG. 4B. It is also possible that there are no such cavities 480 at all.

(29) The second profile element 455 may extend across the entire midfoot portion, the entire heel portion 420 and/or the entire forefoot portion 410 of the sole 400. The second profile elements 455 connect first profile elements 450 in the forefoot portion 410, e.g., those in the rear portion of the forefoot portion 410, and the heel portion 420 of the sole 400. The second profile elements 455 which extend from the first profile elements 450 of the forefoot portion 410 to the first profile elements 450 of the heel portion 420 also strengthen the sole 400 in the midfoot portion.

(30) As can be seen in FIG. 4A, the second profile elements 455 can comprise a wrap structure over the edges of the sole 400, especially in the midfoot portion, the rear portion of the forefoot portion 410 and/or in the heel portion 420, e.g., they may at least partly extend over the edges of the sole 400. The wrap structure may not be present in the front portion of the forefoot portion 410.

(31) As can be seen in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the second profile elements 455 can be designed in different cross sections, for example, having a triangular cross section and/or a concave triangular cross section. In embodiments of sole 400 the second profile elements 455 in the toe portion of the forefoot portion 410 are designed with a triangular cross section as shown in FIG. 5A. Further, the second profile elements 455 in a portion between the friction element 433 and a midfoot portion, e.g., a rear portion of the forefoot portion 410, are designed with a concave triangular cross section as shown in FIG. 5B. Further, the second profile elements 455 in the midfoot portion and/or a front portion of the heel portion 420 are designed in triangular cross section as shown in FIG. 5A, whereby the second profile elements 455 in the region of the heel counter, e.g., a rear portion of the heel portion 420, can be designed with a concave triangular cross section as shown in FIG. 5B. Exemplary regions with a concave triangular cross section (as shown in FIG. 5B) of the second profile elements 455 are indicated by reference sign 490 in FIG. 4A. Second profile elements 455 may have a triangular cross section (as shown in FIG. 5A) in regions outside the regions 490.

(32) A method for manufacturing a shoe may comprise the following steps: A sole with a plurality of profile elements is provided. An upper is provided. A friction element is attached at least partly around the sole and the upper such that the friction element can contact a sports ball to increase the friction between a lower side of the sole and the sports ball. The method may be adapted to provide shoes and shoes with soles as explained with reference to FIGS. 1-4.