WO2017125676A1

WO2017125676A1 - Footwear sole

Info

Publication number: WO2017125676A1
Application number: PCT/FR2017/050100
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan-Luc DIARD
Original assignee: Hyperios
Priority date: 2016-01-21
Filing date: 2017-01-17
Publication date: 2017-07-27
Also published as: FR3046913A1; EP3405061A1; FR3046913B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an outer sole for footwear, comprising a multilayer structure including a lower layer of synthetic materials, a sheet (3) of stiff and elastic materials, and an upper layer of synthetic materials, said sole having a longitudinal median axis (X, X') defining an inner part (PI) and an outer part (PE). The sheet (3) extends from the distal end of the forefoot (5) to the bearing area of the heel (10), said sheet (3) comprising a recess (7) that opens onto the distal periphery of the sole.

Description

SOLE OF A SHOE

The present invention relates to a particular structure of an outsole of a sports shoe.

To improve comfort, stiffness or performance, many developments have been made by changing the structure of the outer soles. These developments have resulted, for example, in the inclusion of inserts, such as EP 1 048 233, EP 2 649 896, US Pat. No. 5,528,842 and US Pat. No. 8,141,272, or the insertion of a particularly composite plate which extends over most of the length of the sole assembly, as in the documents presented below.

Documents EP 0 272 082, US Pat. No. 5,052,130, US Pat. No. 5,191,727 and FR 2,993,758 disclose an outsole of composite material which extends over the entire length of the shoe and which can be bent upwards in the front region of the shoe. EP 1 100 349 discloses a composite plate having a particular shape extending from the heel to the toes. This plate is higher in the center than at the ends and helps stabilize the lateral movement of the foot.

Document FR 2 775 875 describes a rigid additional soleplate which may be made of plastics material or of composite fibrous material. This additional sole has staggered notches arranged transversely to the length of the sole. This additional sole provides increased transverse stiffness for hiking on rough terrain. US 4,651,445 discloses a composite material plate in the upper position of a stack of soles of synthetic material, which provides a high elasticity in the direction of unwinding of the foot and a certain lateral stability.

The present invention thus provides an improvement for an outsole of a sports shoe. Thus, the outsole of a shoe, according to the invention, comprises a multilayer structure comprising a lower layer of synthetic materials, a plate of rigid and elastic materials and a top layer of synthetic materials, the sole comprising a longitudinal median axis delimiting an inner portion of an outer portion, the plate extending from the distal end of the forefoot to the heel bearing zone, while the plate comprises a recess opening toward the distal periphery of the sole.

Let us add that the recess is opening towards the outer periphery of the forefoot.

Note that the recess is centered or substantially centered with respect to the longitudinal median axis.

It should be noted that the recess extends rearward, substantially at the level of the central zone of the forefoot. According to one characteristic, the recess is bordered or substantially bordered laterally on either side by a first oblique axis and a second oblique axis, arranged in opposition with respect to the longitudinal median axis, these two oblique axes passing through the proximal end of the outsole and making an angle with the longitudinal median axis of between 2 and 15 degrees, preferably between 3 and 10 degrees.

According to an additional characteristic, the profile of the plate, from front to rear, narrows in width.

According to one embodiment, the plate has an upward curvature, raised both at the front and at the back. Let us add that the recess delimits the plate at the level of the forefoot into an inner branch and an outer branch.

According to a complementary feature, the inner limb extends towards the distal end of the forefoot transversely outwards, forming a transverse bearing zone. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, with reference to the accompanying drawings which are given by way of non-limiting examples.

Figures 1 to 9 are views of an outsole of a left foot shoe, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure la is a front view.

Figure lb is an internal side view.

Figure 1a is a view from below, partly in transparency.

Figure Id is an external side view. Figure 1a is a rear view.

Figure 2 is a top view, partly in transparency.

Figures 3 to 9 are sectional views of Figure 1a.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view along A, A '.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view along B, B '. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view along C, C.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view along D, D '.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view along E, E ',

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along F, F '.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view along G, G '. A shoe is commonly equipped with an outsole

(1) multilayer surmounted by a rod equipped with an envelope, in which the foot of the user is retained. The envelope has substantially the shape of the foot of the user, and comprises retaining means, such as laces.

According to one characteristic, the upper overcomes the outsole (1) to be recessed by its lower part. The stem is, of course, secured to the outsole (1), by any appropriate means known, such as by gluing, and is retained, by its lower part, by a peripheral rim constituted by a wall extending upwards, thus surrounding the lower part of the rod. In other words, the upper portion of the outsole (1) comprises a central bowl constituted by an upwardly open recessed profile intended to receive the rod, the bowl being formed by the peripheral rim.

It is also understood that the shoe, according to the invention, can be equipped with a glue or removable insole. According to the illustrated embodiment, the outsole (1) is curved upwards, both in its front part and in its rear part, as disclosed by the document FR 2 945 916.

When a user is running long distances, a stride decomposes, first of all by pressing the heel to the ground, followed by the unwinding of the foot on the majority of its lower surface, until a pronounced support of tiptoe. This type of stride is different from that of a fast race over short distances, such as during a sprint, where the strides are mainly centered on the tip of the foot.

Thus, a shoe having a curvature, such as the feature described above, namely, raised both at the front and back of the shoe, promotes and accentuates the unfolding of the foot on the ground support surface during the strides of the user.

It is understood that according to other embodiments, the outsole (1) may only be curved upwards in its front part, such as the majority of shoes on the market.

It is also understood that the outsole (1) extends forwardly in correspondence of the anterior or distal end of the foot at the toes, towards the center at the arch of the foot, and towards the back in correspondence of the posterior or proximal end of the foot at the heel.

The outsole (1), as illustrated in Figure 1a and 2, comprises a longitudinal median axis (X, X ') delimiting an inner portion (PI) of an outer portion (PE), while the outer portion (PE) comprises a first oblique axis (W, W) passing through the proximal end (15) of the outsole (1), and making a angle with the longitudinal median axis (X, X ') between 2 and 15 degrees, preferably between 3 and 10 degrees, more preferably between 3 and 7 degrees. It should be noted that the inner portion (PI) comprises a second oblique axis (Y, Y ') also passing through the proximal end (15) of the outsole (1) and making an angle with the longitudinal median axis (X, X ') between 2 and 15 degrees, preferably between 3 and 10 degrees, more preferably between 3 and 7 degrees, opposite the first oblique axis (W, W) with respect to the longitudinal median axis (X, X').

The sole of the foot or the underside of the skeleton of the foot is made up of three parts, namely, from behind forwards, the tarsus, the metatarsus and the phalanges. The metatarsal and the phalanges correspond to the forefoot. The outer sole (1) according to the invention, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 9, is in the form of a multilayer structure, comprising a lower layer (2) of synthetic material (s), a plate (3) of rigid (s) material (s) and elastic (s), and an upper layer (4) of synthetic material (s). According to the illustrated embodiment, the plate (3) advantageously extends over the entire length or substantially the entire length of the outer sole (1). More specifically, the plate extends longitudinally from the end of the phalanges to the bearing zone of the heel (10), as shown in Figure 2. A plate (3) of rigid material (s) (s) and elastic (s) has properties to accumulate energy during its flexion and release this energy during its relaxation. This / these material (s) are for example a composite based on woven or non-woven fiber, for example fiberglass, carbon fiber, metal fiber such as aluminum or titanium or a mixture of fibers, such as a mixture of fiberglass and carbon fiber. These woven or non-woven fibers are coated with a polymer matrix, such as polyurethane or epoxy resin. According to embodiments, the composite plate (3) may be made of carbon fibers coated with a polyurethane resin or glass fibers coated with a polyester resin.

A plate (3) of rigid and elastic material may also be synthetic fibers coated with a polymer resin, for example aramid fibers (kevlar) coated with an epoxy resin.

The plate (3) may also be made of polymeric materials, such as polycarbonate (PC), polyurethane (PU), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or polyether block amide (PEBA).

According to a preferred embodiment, in particular for a shoe intended for competition, the plate (3) is made of carbon fibers coated with a polyurethane matrix.

According to another embodiment, in particular for a shoe intended for leisure sports, the plate (3) is made of polymer material (s).

Thus during a stride where the user puts his heel on the ground, he unrolls his foot to rest on the tip of his foot, the plate spring effect, accumulates energy during the phase of the unwinding and release it at the end of the stride, to bring a propulsion to each stride of the user.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the plate (3) has a particular shape, in particular at its distal end and at the zone corresponding to the forefoot (5).

The plate (3) thus comprises a recess (7) in the form of a cutout in its distal portion, opening towards the outer periphery of the outsole (1), advantageously at the distal periphery at the outer portion (PE ), namely the outer periphery of the forefoot (5).

According to the illustrated embodiment, this recess (7) is centered or substantially centered with respect to the longitudinal median axis (X, X ') and delimited or substantially delimited laterally by the first oblique axis (W, W) and the second oblique axis (Y, Y '), as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. This recess (7) extends rearward, at its proximal end, substantially between the junction of the corresponding zones of the phalanges and the metatarsus, preferably substantially at the level of the central zone (11) of the forefoot (5). ), more preferably below the central zone (11) of the forefoot (5), while being in the zone corresponding to the metatarsal.

This recess (7) delimits laterally the upper zone of the plate (3) in two branches (8, 9), namely an inner branch (8) and an outer branch (9). In other words, the plate (3) is extended towards its distal end in two longitudinal branches (8, 9). The distal end of the outer leg (9) is aligned or substantially aligned with the first oblique axis (W, W), while the distal end of the inner leg (8) is aligned or substantially aligned with the second oblique axis (Y, Y ').

Note that the distal end of the outer branch (9) extends at least to the area corresponding to the fifth toe, while the distal end of the inner branch (8) extends at least to the area corresponding to the first toe.

According to one characteristic, the distal end of the inner branch

(8) extends transversely outwards, preferably to the outer periphery of the sole (1). The recess (7) is thus bordered in its distal portion by the transverse zone (12) of the inner branch (8).

According to the preceding feature, the distal end of the plate (3), namely the distal end of the inner limb (8) is centered or substantially centered on the second oblique axis (Y, Y '). The particular structure of the forefoot zone (5) of the plate (3), namely, the presence of the inner branch (8) and the outer branch

(9), makes it possible to provide a spring effect not only modulated, or even different, between the inner (PI) and outer (PE) part of the outsole (1), but also by the structure of the distal end of the inner branch (8), to obtain an increased propulsion effect by the transverse zone (12) of support at the tip of the foot. Indeed, the distal end of the inner branch (8) extending transversely outwardly, allows a pronounced support of at least the first, the second and preferably the third toe.

According to an additional characteristic, the profile of the plate (3), from front to rear, narrows in width, in order to obtain a central and proximal part, corresponding to the zone of the arch and the zone of heel support (10), having greater flexibility with respect to the upper part of the plate corresponding to the forefoot (5). This increased flexibility of the plate (3), in the central and proximal zone, increases the propulsion capacity of the outsole (1) and therefore the stride of the user during its advance.

Note that according to the illustrated embodiment, particularly in Figures lb and d, the plate (3) matches the shape of the outer sole (1). The plate (3) thus has a curvature, raised both at the front and at the back. The combination of this curvature, favoring the unwinding of the foot, and the particular structure of the plate (3), contributes to increase the propulsion capacity of the outsole (1).

Thus the central area of the plate (3) corresponding to the area of the arch, is substantially rectilinear, see has a slight curvature raised both at the front and rear.

According to an additional characteristic, the profile of the plate (3) is slightly off-axis with respect to the longitudinal median axis (X, X ') of the outer sole (1), directed towards the inner part (PE). In addition, the plate (3) has a certain transverse curvature, opposite that of the outsole (1) which is commonly directed inwards, in particular at its proximal end, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

Recall that the outer sole (1) is a multilayer structure comprising a plate (3) arranged between a lower layer (2) and an upper layer (4). The lower layer (2) of the outer sole (1), according to the illustrated embodiment, comprises two types of zones, namely zones hooked (13) of rigid materials, and damping areas (14) of less rigid materials or soft.

The hooked areas (13) are located at the level of the inner part (PE) before, more precisely at the level of the inner area of the forefoot (5), and arranged laterally on both sides of the longitudinal median axis (X, X '), at the rear portion, at the periphery of the heel support zone (10).

The damping zones (14) are distributed over the entire lower surface of the outsole (1) in complementarity of the hooked areas (13).

These damping zones (14) allow, as their names indicate, to damp the impacts in contact with the ground, which is all the more important compared to a conventional outsole, due to the presence of the plate ( 3). The upper layer (4) preferably extends from the distal end to the proximal end of the outsole (1), but it could be otherwise, the upper layer (4) extends from the central portion to the proximal part.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the upper layer (4) extends over the entire length of the outer sole (1).

According to embodiments, the upper layer (4) comprises different zones that are produced by differing materials or a material having different densities, for example EVA of different densities.

According to the preceding embodiments, the zone corresponding to the forefoot (5) consists of a first material, while the heel support zone (10) consists of a second material. Preferably, the second material has a greater damping capacity than the first material.

The upper (4) and lower (2) layers are for example polyurethane (PU), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene vinyl acetate (PEVA), preferably polyethylene vinyl acetate. According to one embodiment, the upper (4) and lower (2) layers are made of the same material, but it could be otherwise, the layers (2, 4) are made of different materials.

According to another embodiment, the upper (4) and lower (2) layers have a different density, for example EVA of different densities.

According to embodiments, the upper layer (4) is merged with the insole.

The multilayer structure of the outsole not only provides a spring effect, producing a propulsion at each stride, but also a comfort of use to the user.

Claims

1. outsole (1) of a shoe comprising a multilayer structure comprising a lower layer (2) of synthetic materials, a plate (3) of rigid and elastic materials and a top layer (4) of synthetic materials, the sole comprising a longitudinal median axis (X, X ') delimiting an inner portion (PI) of an outer portion (PE), said plate (3) extending from the distal forefoot end (5) to the heel support (10), characterized in that the plate (3) comprises a recess (7) opening towards the distal periphery of the sole (1).

2. outsole (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the recess (7) is opening towards the outer periphery of the forefoot (5).

3. outsole (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recess (7) is centered or substantially centered with respect to the longitudinal median axis (X, X ').

4. outsole (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (7) extends rearwardly, substantially at the level of the central zone (11) of the forefoot (5).

5. outsole (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (7) is bordered or substantially bordered laterally on either side by a first oblique axis (W, W) and a second oblique axis (Y, Y '), arranged in opposition to the longitudinal median axis (X, X'), these two oblique axes passing through the proximal end (15) of the outsole (1) and making an angle with the longitudinal median axis (X, X ') of between 2 and 15 degrees.

6. outsole (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the first oblique axis (W, W) and the second oblique axis (Y, Y ') form an angle with the longitudinal median axis (X, X' ) between 3 and 10 degrees.

7. outsole (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the profile of the plate (3), from front to rear, narrows in width.

8. outsole (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plate (3) has an upward curvature, raised both at the front and rear.

9. outsole (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recess (7) defines the plate (3) at the forefoot (5) in an inner limb (8) and an outer branch (9).

10. Outsole (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the inner branch (8) extends towards the distal end of the forefoot (5) transversely outwards, forming a transverse zone ( 12) of support.