Footwear Comprising an Elastic Intermediate Sole

Abstract

The invention relates to footwear comprising a multi-layer structure of the sole, with said sole being composed of at least one outsole (3), an optional insole as well as a midsole (2), wherein the midsole (2) is made of an elastic material having an open-cell structure provided with a gas- and liquid-tight outer skin, with said cell structure being filled with at least one fluidic medium.

Claims

1. Footwear comprising a multi-layer structure of the sole, with said sole being composed of at least one outsole (3) and one midsole (2), wherein the midsole (2) is made of an elastic material having an open-cell structure provided with a gas- and liquid-tight outer skin, wherein said cell structure is filled at least partially with a fluidic medium

2. Footwear according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material has a spongelike structure.

3. Footwear according to claim 1, wherein the elastic material is a foamed plastic.

4. Footwear according to claim 3, wherein the foamed plastic consists of an open-pore foam.

5. Footwear according to claim 3, wherein the foamed plastic has a volumetric weight ranging between around 40 and around 100 kg/m.sup.3.

6. Footwear according to claim 3, wherein the size of the pores is in the range of between around 0.5 and around 3 mm.

7. Footwear according to claim 1, wherein the fluidic medium is a liquid medium.

8. Footwear according to claim 7, wherein the liquid medium is one or more of water, polyol and a mixture thereof.

9. Footgear according to claim 8, wherein the liquid medium is water containing a thickening agent for the purpose of increasing the viscosity.

10. Footgear according to claim 5, wherein aside from the liquid medium the midsole (2) also contains air.

11. Footgear according to claim 1, further comprising a valve (7) arranged in the midsole (2).

12. Footgear according to claim 1, wherein the midsole (2) is sandwiched between the outsole (3) and an insole, with the outsole (3) being designed so as to be harder than the insole.

13. Footgear according to claim 1, by further comprising an insole provided with recesses intended for the integration of cushioning elements.

14. Footgear according to claim 13, wherein the recesses are located in at least one of the heel and ball area.

15. Footgear according to claim 10, wherein the recesses are provided with Velcro elements.

16. Footgear according to claim 1, wherein said footgear further comprises sandals.

17. Footgear according to claim 1, wherein said footgear further comprises flip-flops.

Description

[0030] Further elucidation of the invention is provided through the enclosed figures of preferred embodiments where

[0031] FIG. 1 is a top view of a sandal proposed by the invention;

[0032] FIG. 2 shows the sandal illustrated in FIG. 1 viewed from the toe side, and

[0033] FIG. 3 is a side view of the sandal illustrated in FIG. 1 seen from the inside of the foot.

[0034] The sandal 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a midsole 2 into which a valve element has been integrated. Valve element 7 enables the fluidic medium in the midsole to be filled in initially, and, as the case may be, replenish or replace it afterwards. Preferably, valve 7 is of self-closing design but may also be closed by means of a plug, or may be closed off by welding. In the latter case, the sole cannot be refilled.

[0035] The sandal itself is provided with a strap construct 6 to secure the sandal to the foot of the wearer, said construct being anchored in the sole construct 2/3 via two rear fasteners 4 and one front-side fastener 5. Fasteners 4 and 5 extend through the midsole 2 and project into outsole 3, and they are anchored in outsole 3 by dish-shaped enlargements 8 (see FIGS. 2/3. It is easily seen that fasteners 4 and 5 extend through ducts arranged in and passing through midsole 2 which enables a sheathing to be achieved that is impervious to the fluidic medium present in midsole 2.

[0036] Fastener 5 with strip 9 is arranged in the front region of the sandal in such a manner that wearers of the sandal can hold strip 9 between their great and second toes. Strip 9 is bonded or sewed to the strap construct 6 and extends together with fastener 5 through the sole construct 2/3 terminating in the dish-shaped enlargement 8 of fastener 5 in the outsole 3.

[0037] It shall be understood that the dish-shaped enlargements 8 of fasteners 4 and 5 are countersunk into the sole at the underside (outsole 3) and upper side (midsole 2 or, as the case may be, an insole) so that they do not project.

[0038] FIG. 2 shows the sandal as per FIG. 1 viewed from the toe side. Midsole 2 and outsole 3 which is arranged underneath the midsole can be seen with the outsole embracing the midsole 2 laterally. In this manner, the outsole 3 extending around the sides provides protection of the midsole 2. Valve 7 arranged in midsole 2 has also be shown.

[0039] Strap construct 6 is anchored in outsole 3 via fasteners 4 arranged in the heel area, with dish-shaped enlargements 8 being located in the outsole area, said enlargements being sunk into outsole 3. Fasteners 4 and 5 are secured in the outsole 3 via these dish-shaped enlargements 8. The dish-shaped elements 8 may be attached to the outsole by bonding or welding.

[0040] It can be seen that fasteners 4 and 5, with the latter merging into strip 9, extend in ducts arranged in the midsole, wherein the duct sheathings provide protection against the filling of the midsole. Strip 9 is attached to the strap construct by bonding or sewing.

[0041] FIG. 3 is a side view of the sandal shown in FIGS. 1/2 seen from the inside of the foot. The illustration shows strap construct 6 with strip 9, the midsole with valve 7 as well as the fasteners 4 and 5 with the dish-shaped retaining elements 8. It can also be seen that in the area of the toes and heel the outsole 3 has been raised to laterally embrace the midsole, with the outsole thus providing protection of midsole 2 not only in the front but also in the rear area.

[0042] It shall furthermore be understood that the sandal shown is only an embodiment of the invention. The footwear proposed by the invention may as well be designed as a conventional shoe or as a slipper with open or closed heel portion. As a rule, the outsole is stiffer than the midsole. In the heel area the outsole may transition into a raised heel base whereas in the central area the sole may also be provided with a camber or concavity which increases the efficiency of the rollover mechanism. It is essential, however, that the midsole 2 is appropriately designed so that during roll-over of the foot the fluidic medium is caused to be displaced within the midsole as a result of the running/walking movement.