Abstract
A sole for a running shoe comprising a sole tip, a heel edge and a midsole having a base surface delimiting the midsole against the vertical direction (V) and a top surface delimiting the midsole in the vertical direction, wherein the midsole has a heel region (FB), a midfoot region (MFB) and a forefoot region (VFB) and an elastic plate. The elastic plate extends at least from the forefoot region into the midfoot region, and in the forefoot region and/or in the midfoot region has a first curvature with a vertex curved along the longitudinal direction (L) of the midsole in the direction of the top surface of the midsole. The elastic plate is formed so the first curvature is elastically bent in the direction of the base surface by the forces acting during treading and/or rolling movement, and the first curvature returns to its original shape during push-off, or wherein the elastic plate in the forefoot region and/or in the midfoot region has a first curvature curved along the longitudinal direction of the midsole in the direction of the base surface of the midsole and having a vertex. The elastic plate is configured such that the first curvature is elastically bent in the direction of the top surface by the forces acting during treading and/or during rolling movement, and the first curvature returns to its original shape during push-off.
Claims
1. A sole for a running shoe, comprising a sole tip (4), a heel edge (5) and a midsole (1) having a base surface (3) delimiting the midsole against the vertical direction (V) of the midsole and a top surface (2) delimiting the midsole in vertical direction (V) wherein the midsole (1) comprises a heel region (FB), a midfoot region (MFB) and a forefoot region (VFB), and wherein the midsole (1) comprises an elastic plate (6), wherein the elastic plate (6) extends at least from the forefoot region (VFB) into the midfoot region (MFB) and wherein: the elastic plate (6), in the forefoot region (VFB) and/or in the midfoot region (MFB), has a first curvature (61) curved along a longitudinal direction (L) of the midsole (1) in the direction of the base surface (3) of the midsole (1) and having a vertex (S-61) wherein the elastic plate (6) is configured such that the first curvature (61) is elastically bent in the direction of the top surface (2) by the forces acting during running when treading and/or rolling movement, and the first curvature (61) returns to its original shape when pushing off; and the first curvature (61) comprising a lateral-side curvature curved along the longitudinal direction of the midsole in the direction of the base surface, and a separated medial-side curvature arranged offset in a transverse direction and curved along the longitudinal direction of the midsole in the direction of the base surface, and a planar section in a transverse direction arranged between the medial-side curvature and the lateral side curvature.
2. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the midsole (1) comprises a main channel (7) extending in the transverse direction (Q), which is formed at least partially by the first curvature (61) curved in the direction of the base surface (3).
3. The sole according to claim 2, wherein the main channel (7) extends end-to-end in the transverse direction (Q) from the medial side (MS) of the midsole (1) to the lateral side (LS) of the midsole (1).
4. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the first curvature (61, 61) is bell-curve-shaped in cross-section along the longitudinal direction (L) of the midsole (1) and perpendicular to the transverse direction (Q) of the midsole (1).
5. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the first curvature (61, 61) is arranged such that, in the operative state, they are arranged in the vertical direction (V) below the metatarsophalangeal joints of the wearer.
6. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the vertex (S-61, S-61) of the first curvature (61, 61) from the heel edge (5) of the sole in the direction of the sole tip (4) is arranged at 50% to 75% of the total length (L(tot)) in the longitudinal direction (L) of the sole.
7. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the first curvature (61, 61) at the vertex (S-61, S-61) in cross-section along the longitudinal direction (L) and perpendicular to the transverse direction (Q) has a vertex radius of 1 mm to 200 mm.
8. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the elastic plate (6), arranged offset in transverse direction (Q) with respect to the first curvature (61, 61), has one or more planar sections (64a, 64b, 64c), which extends in longitudinal direction (L), parallel to the top surface (2) and/or parallel to the base surface (3).
9. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the elastic plate (6) comprises, in addition to the first curvature (61) curved in the direction of the top surface (2) of the midsole (1), a second curvature (62) curved along the longitudinal direction (L) of the midsole (1) in the direction of the base surface (3) of the midsole (1) and having a vertex (S-62), wherein the second curvature (62) is arranged in the longitudinal direction between the first curvature (61) and the sole tip (4).
10. The sole according to claim 9, wherein the second curvature (62) has at its vertex (S-62) a vertex radius in cross-section along the longitudinal direction (L) and perpendicular to the transverse direction (Q) of from 5 mm to 300 mm.
11. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the elastic plate (6) has, in addition to the first curvature (61) curved in the direction of the top surface (2) of the midsole (1), a third curvature (63) curved along the longitudinal direction (L) of the midsole (1) in the direction of the base surface (3) of the midsole (1) and having a vertex (S-63), wherein the third curvature (63) is arranged in the longitudinal direction (L) between the heel edge (5) and the first curvature (61).
12. The sole according to claim 11, wherein the third curvature (63) has a vertex radius of from 5 to 300 mm, at its vertex (S-63).
13. The sole according to claim 12, wherein the distance in the longitudinal direction (L) between the vertex (S-62) of the second curvature (62) and the vertex (S-63) of the third curvature (63) is 40 mm to 90 mm.
14. The sole according to claim 9, wherein the elastic plate (6) has a lower stiffness in the region of the second curvature (62) and/or in the region of the third curvature (63) than at the rest of the plate (6).
15. The sole according to claim 9, wherein the vertex (S-61) of the first curvature (61) is arranged offset from the vertex (S-62) of the second curvature (62) and/or from the vertex (S-63) of the third curvature (63) in the vertical direction (V) by 5 mm to 30 mm, in particular by 10 mm to 20 mm.
16. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the first curvature (61) curved in the direction of the top surface (2) of the midsole (1) comprises a lateral-side curvature (61a) curved along the longitudinal direction (L) of the midsole (1) in the direction of the top surface (2) of the midsole (1) and a therefrom separated medial-side curvature (61b) arranged offset in transverse direction (Q) and curved along the longitudinal direction (L) of the midsole (1) in the direction of the top surface (2) of the midsole (1).
17. The sole according to claim 16, wherein an intermediate curvature (61c) curved along the longitudinal direction (L) of the midsole (1) in the direction of the base surface (3) of the midsole (1) is arranged in the transverse direction (Q) between the medial-side curvature (61b) curved in the direction of the top surface (2) of the midsole (1) and the lateral-side curvature (61a) curved in the direction of the top surface (2) of the midsole (1).
18. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the planar section (64c) is arranged in the transverse direction (Q) between the medial-side curvature segment (61b) curved in the direction of the base surface (3) of the midsole (1) and the lateral-side curvature segment (61a) curved in the direction of the base surface (3) of the midsole (1), which planar section is arranged substantially parallel to the top surface (2) and/or parallel to the base surface (3).
19. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the first curvature (61) is segmented into curvature segments (611, 612, 613, 614, 615) that are separate from one another and arranged offset in the transverse direction (Q).
20. The sole according to claim 19, wherein each curvature segment (611, 612, 613, 614, 615) is one of: a. curved independently of the other curvature segments along the longitudinal direction toward the top surface (2) of the midsole (1) and b. curved along the longitudinal direction toward the base surface (3) of the midsole (1).
21. The sole according to claim 19, wherein at least one of: a. at least two curvature segments (611, 612, 613, 614, 615) are directly adjacent in transverse direction (Q) and b. wherein a planar section is arranged between two adjacent curvature segments, which planar section is arranged substantially parallel to the top surface (2) and/or parallel to the base surface (3).
22. The sole according to claim 1 wherein one of: a. the elastic plate (6) in the heel region (FB) has a fourth curvature with a vertex, curved along the longitudinal direction (L) of the midsole (1) in the direction of the top surface (2) of the midsole (1) wherein the elastic plate (6) is configured such that the fourth curvature is elastically bent in the direction of the base surface (3) by the forces acting during treading and/or during rolling movement, and the fourth curvature (65) returns to its original shape during push-off; and b. the elastic plate (6) in the heel region (FB) has a fourth curvature (65, 65a, 65b) curved along the longitudinal direction (L) of the midsole (1) in the direction of the base surface (3) of the midsole (1) and having a vertex, wherein the elastic plate (6) is formed in such a manner that the fourth curvature (65, 65a, 65b) is elastically bent in the direction of the top surface (2) by the forces acting during treading and/or during rolling movement, and the fourth curvature (65, 65a, 65b) returns to its original shape during push-off.
23. The sole according to claim 22, wherein the fourth curvature (65, 65a, 65b) is segmented into curvature segments (651, 652, 653) separate from one another and arranged offset in the transverse direction (Q).
24. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the elastic plate (6) defines a plurality of through-holes (671, 672, 673) which extend in the vertical direction (V) and which are arranged in the heel region and/or in the forefoot region and/or in the midfoot region.
25. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the midsole (1) has a plurality of cushioning channels (81, 82) running in the transverse direction (Q), arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (L).
26. A running shoe comprising a sole according to claim 1.
27. A sole for a running shoe, comprising a sole tip (4), a heel edge (5) and a midsole (1) having a base surface (3) delimiting the midsole against the vertical direction (V) of the midsole and a top surface (2) delimiting the midsole in vertical direction (V) wherein the midsole (1) comprises a heel region (FB), a midfoot region (MFB) and a forefoot region (VFB), and wherein the midsole (1) comprises an elastic plate (6), wherein the elastic plate (6) extends at least from the forefoot region (VFB) into the midfoot region (MFB) and wherein the elastic plate (6), in the forefoot region (VFB) and/or in the midfoot region (MFB) has a first curvature (61) curved along a longitudinal direction (L) of the midsole (1) in the direction of the base surface (3) of the midsole (1) and having a vertex (S-61) wherein the elastic plate (6) is configured such that the first curvature (61) is elastically bent in the direction of the top surface (2) by the forces acting during running when treading and/or rolling movement, and the first curvature (61) returns to its original shape when pushing-off; and the first curvature (61) comprising a lateral-side curvature curved along the longitudinal direction of the midsole in the direction of the base surface, a therefrom separated medial-side curvature arranged offset in a transverse direction and curved along the longitudinal direction of the midsole in the direction of the base surface, and a plate section of the plate being in a transverse direction arranged between the medial-side curvature and the lateral-side curvature.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) Aspects of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the following figures and the accompanying description.
(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows the principle of soles with plates known from prior art;
(3) FIG. 2 shows a schematic side view of a running shoe with a sole according to a further embodiment of the invention;
(4) FIG. 3 shows a cross-section of a plate for a plate for a sole according to an embodiment of the invention;
(5) FIG. 4 shows schematically a view of a plate for a sole according to an embodiment of the invention;
(6) FIG. 5 shows schematically a view of a plate for a sole according to a further embodiment of the invention;
(7) FIG. 6 shows schematically a view of a plate for a sole according to a further embodiment of the invention;
(8) FIG. 7a shows schematically the principle of the sole according to an embodiment of the invention;
(9) FIG. 7b shows schematically the principle of the sole according to an embodiment of the invention;
(10) FIG. 8 shows schematically a view of a plate for a sole according to a further embodiment of the invention;
(11) FIG. 9 shows schematically a view of a plate for a sole according to a further embodiment of the invention;
(12) FIG. 10 shows schematically a view of a plate for a sole according to a further embodiment of the invention;
(13) FIG. 11 shows schematically a view of a plate for a sole according to a further embodiment of the invention;
(14) FIG. 12 shows schematically a view of a plate for a sole according to a further embodiment of the invention;
(15) FIG. 13a shows sole measurements for the graph shown in FIG. 13b; and
(16) FIG. 13b shows a schematic view of the measurement for the flexural modulus according to test method 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
(17) FIG. 1 shows the principle of energy conversion with a prior art sole comprising a flexurally elastic plate. If the runner shifts his weight in the running direction, i.e., in the direction of the sole tip, the plate causes a lifting effect. The force directed towards the ground in the forefoot region by the runner's toes is converted by the plate in the heel region into a force directed against the ground, thus supporting the push-off process.
(18) FIG. 2 shows a running shoe with a sole comprising a midsole 1, a sole tip 4 and a heel edge 5 according to one embodiment of the invention. The midsole is divided into a forefoot region VFB, a heel region FB and a midfoot region MFB arranged therebetween along the longitudinal direction L, and has a base surface 3 delimiting the midsole against the vertical direction V of the midsole and a top surface 2 delimiting the midsole in the vertical direction V. In addition, the midsole 1 has an elastic plate 6 which, viewed against the longitudinal direction, extends from the forefoot region VFB over the midfoot region MFB into the heel region FB. In the forefoot region VFB, the sole has a first curvature 61 which, as shown, is curved in the direction of the top surface 2 of the midsole and has a vertex. In the embodiment shown, the first curvature 61 is bell-curve-shaped. The vertex is thereby arranged in the direction of the top surface 2, or in the vertical direction V. The elastic plate 6, in particular the first curvature 61, is configured such that the first curvature is elastically bent in the direction of the base surface by the forces acting during treading and/or rolling movement and the curvature returns to its original shape during push-off (see FIG. 7). The first curvature 61 partly delimits, or partly forms, the main channel 7, which can generally adjoin the first curvature 61 directly against the vertical direction. In addition to the main channel 7, the midsole 1 has rounded cushioning channels 82 in cross-section in the midfoot region and hexagonal cushioning channels 81 in cross-section in the heel region. Both the main channel 7 and the cushioning channels 81 and 82 extend end-to-end in the transverse direction from the medial side of the sole to the lateral side of the sole. The vertex of the first curvature 61 is arranged at a length L1 of about 70% of the total length L of the sole in the embodiment shown.
(19) FIG. 3 schematically shows a cross-section along the longitudinal direction L and perpendicular to the transverse direction Q of a plate 6 as used in the embodiment of a plate of a sole according to the invention of FIG. 2. The plate 6 has a first curvature 61 curved along the longitudinal direction L of the midsole in the direction of the top surface of the midsole, i.e., in the vertical direction V, with a vertex S-61. In addition, the plate has a second curvature 62 curved along the longitudinal direction L of the midsole in the direction of the base surface of the midsole, i.e., against the vertical direction V, with a vertex S-62. The second curvature 62 is thereby arranged in longitudinal direction L between the first curvature and the sole tip (not shown, cf. FIG. 2). In addition, a third curvature 63 with vertex S-63 is provided, which is curved along the longitudinal direction L of the midsole in the direction of the base surface of the midsole, i.e., against the vertical direction V.
(20) FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a plate 6 with the first curvature 61 as provided in the sole of FIG. 2. The first curvature 61 extends end-to-end in the transverse direction Q of the midsole and constant in the vertical direction from the medial side MS of the sole to the lateral side LS of the sole.
(21) FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a plate 6 with the first curvature 61. In contrast to the plate of FIG. 4, the first curvature 61 is arranged only on the medial side MS of the sole. Along the transverse direction Q of the sole, the first curvature declines in the vertical direction V. In such embodiments, the plate may have no curvature on the lateral side LS.
(22) FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a plate 6, the first curvature having a lateral-side curvature 61a curved along the longitudinal direction L of the midsole toward the top surface of the midsole and a separate medial-side curvature 61b arranged in a transverse direction and curved along the longitudinal direction of the midsole toward the top surface of the midsole. Intermediate curvature 61c is provided between the lateral-side curvature 61a and the medial-side curvature 61b, which is curved along the longitudinal direction of the midsole toward the base surface of the midsole. The lateral-side curvature 61a and the medial-side curvature 61b are thus curved in the vertical direction opposite to the intermediate curvature 61c, in particular complementary thereto. The medial-side and lateral-side curvatures thereby have an identical course along the longitudinal direction. They have the same inclination in the longitudinal direction.
(23) FIG. 7 shows the operating principle of the plate of a sole according to the invention. FIG. 7a) shows the unloaded condition. When the runner steps on the ground with the sole, the weight of the runner during treading and the subsequent rolling movement of the foot bends the first curvature 61 in the direction of the base surface 3 {FIG. 7b}. In other words, the first curvature 61 is flattened. Since the plate 6 is generally elastic, in particular elastic in bending, the curvature returns to its original shape according to FIG. 7a). This generates a force with a component in the running direction which supports the push-off, allowing the runner to save force and fatigue few quickly. The main channel below the first curvature further enhances this effect. During push-off, the main channel 7 can be narrowed.
(24) FIG. 8 shows a schematic perspective view of a plate 6 with a first curvature 61. This is curved as part of a sole along the longitudinal direction L of the midsole in the direction of the base surface of the midsole. Arranged offset in transverse direction with respect thereto are planar sections 64a and 64b on lateral-side and medial-side, to which the elastic polymer material of the midsole can be attached. As part of a sole, the sections 64a and 64b are arranged substantially parallel to the base surface and the top surface of the midsole. Furthermore, the plate 6 has a further fourth curvature 65 in the heel region, in this case identical to the first curvature 61. Also arranged offset in transverse direction are the two planar sections 66a and 66b on the medial-side and lateral-side. Consequently, the plate shown in FIG. 8 has only two curvatures curved along the longitudinal direction of the midsole in the direction of the base surface of the midsole, the first curvature 61 and the fourth curvature 65. Thereby, the plate has only one curvature in the forefoot region and in the midfoot region, which is curved along the longitudinal direction of the midsole in the direction of the base surface.
(25) FIG. 9 shows a schematic perspective view of a plate 6. The first curvature consists of two separate, mutually separated curvatures, namely the lateral-side curvature 61a facing the base surface in the installed state (i.e., as part of a base, cf. FIG. 2) and the medial-side curvature 61b facing the base surface. The planar section 64c is arranged between these two curvatures. Also in the heel region, the fourth curvature consists of two separate, mutually distinct curvatures, namely the lateral-side curvature 65a directed toward the base surface in the installed state (i.e., as part of a sole, cf. FIG. 2) and the medial-side curvature 65b directed toward the base surface. The planar section 66c is arranged between these two curvatures.
(26) FIG. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of an elastic plate 6. Although the midsole is not shown, the viewer would look at the base surface of the sole in the present view, i.e., that side of the plate 6 is shown which faces the ground when worn. In this case, the elastic plate 6 has the first curvature 61 in the forefoot region and in the midfoot region and the fourth curvature 65 in the midfoot region and in the heel region, which are arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from one another, i.e., separately from one another. The first curvature 61 is thereby segmented into 5 curvature segments 611, 612, 613, 614 and 615 separated from each other. The curvature segments are separated from each other by a gap. The first curvature 61 and all curvature segments 611 to 615 are curved along the longitudinal direction in the direction of the base surface of the sole (not shown, cf. FIG. 2). The segmentation allows better control of the push-off and stability, since, for example, a runner with a relatively large medial-side weight distribution can specifically elastically deform the first three medial-side curvature segments. The fourth curvature 65 is segmented into a total of three curvature segments 651, 652 and 653. As with the first curvature 61, the fourth curvature and all of the curvature segments 651, 652 and 653 are curved along the longitudinal direction toward the base surface of the sole. In addition, the elastic plate 6 defines a plurality of through-holes 671, 672 and 673 (for clarity, only these three holes are denoted by reference signs). All of these holes extend through the elastic plate in the vertical direction V. However, this does not mean that these holes must be hollow elements in the sole. In some embodiments, it is generally possible for the material of the midsole, such as a polymer foam, to fill these holes, particularly completely. As can be seen, the through-holes 671 to 673 are each arranged in the longitudinal direction in front of and/or behind one of the curvatures, for example the first curvature 61 and/or the fourth curvature 65. The through-hole 671 is arranged in the forefoot region in front of the first curvature 61, the through-hole 672 is arranged in the midfoot region in front of the fourth curvature 65 and behind the first curvature 61, and the through-hole 673 is arranged in the heel region behind the fourth curvature 65.
(27) FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective view of an elastic plate 6. Although the midsole is not shown, the viewer would look at the base surface of the sole in the present view, i.e., that side of the plate 6 is shown which faces the ground when worn. In this case, the elastic plate 6 has the first curvature 61 in the forefoot region and in the midfoot region and the fourth curvature 65 in the midfoot region and in the heel region, which are arranged one behind the other along the longitudinal direction and spaced apart from one another, i.e., separately from one another. The first curvature 61 is thereby segmented into 5 curvature segments 611, 612, 613, 621 and 622 separated from each other. Three curvature segments 611, 612 and 613 are curved along the longitudinal direction in the direction of the base surface of the sole like those in FIG. 10. In contrast, the other two curvature segments 621 and 622 are curved along the longitudinal direction in the opposite direction, namely toward the top surface of the sole. In this case, curvature segment 611 forms a medial-side curvature segment, curvature segment 613 forms a lateral-side curvature segment, and curvature segment 612 forms a central curvature segment arranged therebetween. The curvature segment 621 is arranged between the medial-side curvature segment 611 and the central curvature segment 612. Between the lateral-side curvature segment 613 and the central curvature segment 612 is arranged the curvature segment 622. The fourth curvature 65 is segmented into a total of three curvature segments 651, 652 and 661. The medial-side curvature segment 651 and the lateral-side curvature segment 652 are curved along the longitudinal direction toward the base surface of the sole. In contrast, the third curvature segment 661 arranged between these two curvature segments is curved in the opposite direction, namely toward the top surface of the sole.
(28) FIG. 12 shows another perspective view of another elastic plate 6. As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the first curvature 5 has curvature segments 611, 612, 613 which are curved along the longitudinal direction towards the base surface of the sole. On the other hand, the other two curvature segments 621 and 622 are curved along the longitudinal direction in the opposite direction, namely towards the top surface of the sole. Instead of the curvature segments 621 and 622, planar sections can also be provided, i.e., sections which are substantially parallel to the base surface and/or the top surface of the sole. Like the curvature segments 621 and 622, these are then arranged between two each of the curvature segments 611, 612 and 613.
(29) FIGS. 13a and b show how the flexural modulus can be determined according to Test Method 1. Two support pins are arranged at a distance of 180 mm from each other and contact the elastic plate. A loading pin is arranged between the two support pins, which has a distance of 60 mm from the front support pin along the longitudinal direction and a distance of 120 mm from the rear support pin. As can be seen in FIG. 13a, the loading pin is positioned at the point where the elastic plate has the greatest expansion in the transverse direction or reaches its maximum.
