Sole and shoe comprising said sole

Abstract

 Sole for shoes (10) made of a plastic material, comprising a highly flexible flat-shaped element (11), defining at the lower part a tread (12), and an appendix (13) that develops upwards along the zone of the flat-shaped element (11), said appendix (13) and said flat-shaped element (11) delimiting thereinbetween a groove (16) open in a side direction relative to the sole and designed for receiving the edge (18A) of an upper (18) to be associated to the sole (10) for constructing a shoe (21).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of shoe manufacturing, and more in particular its object is a low and highly flexible sole and a shoe comprising an upper stitched to said sole, preferably of the "flat" type or the like. The object of the present invention is also a method for manufacturing a shoe with said sole.

Prior art

[0002] Shoes of the flat type are known, that is, with low sole, wherein the upper is directly stitched to the sole. In these cases, the sole is mainly a single piece of leather totally flat that externally presents a border for supporting the lower upper edges and a perimetral notch on the upper face, in the proximity of the outer edge. The upper edges are stitched to the sole with a stitching that laterally penetrates into the sole up to the notch base. Soles of this type or similar are for example described in patents US2107501, US1887319, US2065058, W00197643 and W02011001360.

[0003] This method of manufacturing shoes with low sole is especially suitable for a handmade production, with stitches made manually, and it is not suitable for a more "industrial" production, in particular due to the difficulty of working within the notch. Moreover, once the upper is stitched to the sole, the stitching tends to excessively swell the perimetral zone of the sole, reducing the comfort level of the shoe.

Object and summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to manufacture a sole, and also a shoe with said sole, which allows simplifying the manufacture of shoes of the flat type or the like, and which at the same time allows improving the comfort of the same shoe.

[0005] This and other objects, which shall appear more clearly hereinafter, are achieved with a sole, a shoe and a manufacturing method according to the following claims.

[0006] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a sole for shoes, made of a plastic material, which comprises a flat-shaped element with the typical plan shape of a sole that at the lower part defines a tread; an appendix develops upwards from the flat-shaped element, at least in the front portion thereof, which has the function of gripping base for stitching the upper edges to be associated to the sole for constructing a shoe; the appendix and the flat-shaped element delimit thereinbetween a groove open in a side direction relative to the sole and designed for receiving the edge of the upper to be stitched to the sole; the groove is preferably and suitably formed in a sequence by a first lower portion which develops from the outer edge of the flat-shaped element inwards, by a shoulder which develops upwards and by a subsequent top portion which develops from the shoulder outwards; according to the invention, the appendix of the sole whereto the upper must be stitched develops substantially along the entire perimetral zone of the flat-shaped element, in the practice delimiting centrally to the same flat-shaped element, a cavity open upwards which, when the shoe is finished, is adapted for receiving an insole.

[0007] It is understood that short interruptions in the perimetral development of the appendix that do not modify the definition of the central cavity adapted for receiving the insole are to be deemed as falling within this embodiment.

[0008] The flat-shaped element has a high flexibility.

[0009] Such configuration of sole made of a plastic material allows a particularly innovative shoe construction which allows obtaining particularly comfortable and inexpensive shoes with low sole. In fact, the presence of a perimetral appendix for fixing the upper allows simplifying the manufacture of shoes, allowing at the same time the make, within the sole inner area, of a comfortable support for the shoe insoles whereto the sole is to be associated, thus eliminating also the problem of the swelling due to the stitches.

[0010] Plastic material denotes a polymeric material, such as for example polyurethane, rubber and more in general typical plastic materials for making soles. Preferably, the sole is made in a single piece with a single type of plastic material, but soles consisting of elements of a different material may also be used, the functional portion whereof relating to the present invention is made of plastic material. Soles in a single piece may also consist of multiple types of plastic material. It is understood that the sole made of a plastic material may conveniently be made by moulding, for example casting in a die or die injection. Appendix and flat-shaped element of the sole preferably are a single piece of the same material.

[0011] According to a preferred embodiment, the appendix is formed by a rib that develops from the flat-shaped element upwards; more in particular, the top end of the rib is laterally elongated both outwards of the sole for defining the top portion of the groove, and inwards of the shoe for defining a small wing deformable downwards for forming, during the make of a shoe, the portion for the lower support of said insole, so as to cover the underlying stitching zone, actually increasing the comfort of the shoe.

[0012] With reference to this latter example, according to a preferred embodiment, said rib is formed by a portion of material that develops from the flat-shaped element defining two opposite sides that develop upwards, a first side that laterally faces outwards of the sole and that substantially corresponds to said shoulder, and a second side that laterally faces inwards of the sole (or towards the centre of the sole) and from the end or top of which side said downwards deformable wing develops.

[0013] In the practice, according to this example, the appendix presents a "mushroom" cross section, that is, a stem formed by the rib and a head enlarged relative to the stem on both sides thereof, formed by the elastically deformable wing and by the portion of the top end of the appendix which develops outwards.

[0014] By cavity it is meant the fact that, with respect to the top end of the appendix that develops outwards of said perimetral appendix, the sole zone (that is, of the flat-shaped element forming the sole) comprised within the area delimited by the appendix along the perimetral border is at a significantly lower height.

[0015] With reference to the embodiment wherein the appendix is provided with a rib that develops from the flat-shaped element and a wing deformable downwards, the cavity defined by the perimetral appendix is such as to allow the inclination of the free end of said wing downwards and towards the centre.

[0016] Suitably, according to a further embodiment, the sole zone comprised within the area delimited by the appendix along the perimetral border is lowered relative to the height of the lower groove portion.

[0017] Suitably, according to a preferred embodiment, the portion of flat-shaped element at the centre of the cavity delimited by the perimetral appendix is substantially flat, that is, it presents a substantially flat or at most concave pattern, this meaning that the portions of the cavity close to the appendix are at the same height as the central portion of the cavity , or at most at a slightly higher height.

[0018] Preferably, prior to the coupling to an insole during the manufacturing step of the shoe, such wing develops inclined-wise upwards, so as to facilitate the step of stitching the upper to the appendix.

[0019] To improve the fixing of the upper to the sole, the lower portion of said groove defined between appendix and flat-shaped element preferably presents a greater plan depth than the top groove portion.

[0020] Suitably, the tread may present a central portion of treading on the ground wherefrom a portion inclined upwards develops up to the perimetral border of the flat-shaped element. In particular, the cross length of the inclined portion is longer than the thickness of the flat-shaped element in the same zone, in the practice defining the ends of the cross section of the sole as two triangles a particularly acute vertex whereof is elongated outwards. In this way, the peripheral zone of the sole is particularly thin, to the advantage of the easiness of positioning the upper in such zone, and consequent easiness of stitching, as well as lower stiffness of the shoe, to the advantage of comfort.

[0021] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a shoe with a sole according to one or more of the embodiments described above and an upper that presents edges arranged bent in the groove defined between appendix and flat-shaped element. Such edges are connected to the sole by a stitching that passes both by the edges and by the same appendix, and in particular preferably through the rib that defines the narrower portion of the appendix.

[0022] Advantageously, an insole may be arranged in the shoe, onto the sole, within the area delimited by said appendix. In particular, the insole presents a central portion with a filling function of the inner area of the sole and a flared peripheral portion that rests against the wing of the deformed appendix so as to be bent inclined-wise downwards and inwards of the sole, preferably in contact with the flat-shaped element. In this way, the stitching made through the perimetral rib is covered by the wing which, in the downward deformation thereof, creates a seat for the inner portion of a stitching, besides a space central to the sole, lowered, which may be occupied by the insole. Moreover, since the wing is made of a soft plastic material, it allows recovering a possible swelling created by the same stitching; such effect is further increased by the fact that the insole is flared and in the practice is complementary to the zone occupied by the wing when it is bent downwards, creating a flat portion at the top for resting the foot (or another hygienic insole). Suitably, the insole perimetrally ends with a flat portion adapted for overlapping the top end of the appendix.

[0023] According to another aspect, the invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a shoe as described above.

[0024] In particular, such method uses the high flexibility of the sole made of a plastic material with a thin thickness. Once the sole has been made, it is arranged turned inside out on a mounting tree shoe, so that the tread is in contact with the plan of the mounting tree shoe.

[0025] Such arrangement is contrary to the typical arrangement of a sole on a mounting tree shoe, where it is usually arranged resting the interior of the sole (that is, the sole portion facing the foot) on the plan of the mounting tree shoe; the upper must therefore be arranged on the mounting tree shoe with the side intended to remain outside the shoe facing the centre of the sole, and with the lower edges of the upper bent and inserted into the groove defined between the appendix and the flat-shaped element; afterwards, the edges are stitched in the bending zone passing the stitch through the rib (going beyond it) of the sole that develops from the flat-shaped element.

[0026] At this point, the insole is arranged (and preferably fixed) onto the sole so that the central portion fills the area delimited by the appendix of the sole wherealong the stitching of the upper to the sole is made; by doing this, the flared peripheral portion of the insole rests on the wing of the appendix, forcing it to bend downwards. Finally, the sole-upper assembly is turned inside out thanks to the high flexibility of the sole, making said assembly take up the typical setup of a shoe, that is, with the upper side intended to remain outside the shoe facing outwards and not towards the centre of the sole anymore (this is made by moving the upper from "underneath" the sole to "on top" of the sole). It is understood that in another embodiment, the insole may be arranged and fixed to the shoe also after having carried out the step of turning the upper onto the sole.

[0027] According to another aspect, the invention relates to a sole for shoes made of a plastic material, which comprises a flat-shaped element with the typical plan shape of a sole that at the lower part defines a tread; an appendix develops upwards from the flat-shaped element, at least in the front portion thereof, which has the function of gripping base for stitching the upper edges to be associated to the sole for constructing a shoe; the appendix and the flat-shaped element delimit thereinbetween a groove open in a side direction relative to the sole and designed for receiving the edge of the upper to be stitched to the sole; the groove is preferably and suitably formed in a sequence by a first lower portion which develops from the outer edge of the flat-shaped element inwards, by a shoulder which develops upwards and by a subsequent top portion which develops from the shoulder outwards; according to the invention, the appendix is formed by a rib that develops from the flat-shaped element upwards; more in particular, the top end of the rib is laterally elongated both outwards of the sole for defining the top portion, and inwards of the shoe for defining a wing deformable downwards for forming, in the manufacturing step of a shoe, the portion of the lower support of said inner insole, so as to cover the underlying stitching zone, actually increasing the comfort of the shoe.

[0028] Other embodiments comprise one or more of the features associated to the embodiments described above.

Brief description of the drawings

[0029] Further features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example in the annexed drawings, wherein:

figure 1 shows a schematic top plan view of a sole according to the invention;

figure 2 shows a schematic bottom view of the sole of figure 1;

figure 3 shows a schematic side view of the sole of figure 1;

figure 4 shows a schematic side cutaway view of the sole of figure 1;

figure 5 shows a schematic cross cutaway view of the sole of figure 1;

figure 6 shows a schematic cross cutaway view of the sole of figure 1, mounted on a mounting tree shoe according to a manufacturing step of a shoe according to the invention;

figure 7 shows a schematic cross cutaway view of the sole of figure 1 during a manufacturing step subsequent to that of figure 6;

figure 8 shows a schematic cross cutaway view of shoe according to the invention.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

[0030] With reference to the figures mentioned above, a sole according to the invention is globally indicated with reference numeral 10. In general, the overall dimensions of the sole and of the shoe shown in the figures, as well as the relative dimensions of the various elements of the sole and of the shoe have been indicated in an artefact manner, to allow a better graphical interpretation.

[0031] Such sole 10 is made in a single piece of plastic material, such as for example rubber or polyurethane, and comprises a flat-shaped element 11 of thin thickness and with plan shape coinciding with that of the entire sole; due to this shape thereof, the flat-shaped element presents a high flexibility both longitudinal and crosswise.

[0032] Tread 12 is defined on the lower portion of the flat-shaped element. An appendix 13 develops both upwards and along the entire perimeter of the same flat-shaped element, on the top portion of the flat-shaped element, from the external zone thereof, in the practice creating a kerb that, inwards of the flat-shaped element, delimits a central area 14 and outwards, a flat portion 15 along the entire perimetral zone.

[0033] It should be noted that such kerb, or appendix 13, is completely developed relative to the flat-shaped element, and thus the central area 14 is substantially flat, also in the portions thereof close to the same appendix.

[0034] In the practice, the perimetral development of appendix 13 defines a cavity within area 14 delimited by the same appendix 13, for receiving an insole, described hereinafter, for the shoe whereto the sole must be associated.

[0035] By cavity it is meant the fact that, with respect to the top end portion of appendix 13 that develops outwards of the sole, the sole zone (that is, of the flat-shaped element forming the sole) comprised within area 14 delimited by appendix 13 along the perimetral border is at a significantly lower height.

[0036] Appendix 13 and the flat-shaped element 11 delimit thereinbetween a groove 16, open in a side direction relative to the sole, and designed for receiving the lower edge of the upper to be stitched to the sole, as better explained hereinafter.

[0037] Groove 16 is formed in a sequence preferably by a first lower portion 16A, in the practice a continuation of portion 15 that develops from the outer edge 11A of the flat-shaped element 11 inwards of the same, by a shoulder 16B (for example with curvilinear concave pattern) that develops upwards and by a subsequent top portion 16C that develops from shoulder 16B outwards. It should be noted that in the figures, the top portion 16C presents a horizontal development and presents a substantially constant thickness. In other embodiments, such top portion may present other shapes, for example it may advantageously be inclined upwards with decreasing thickness up to the end thereof, in the practice defining a triangular shape for the relative appendix portion.

[0038] More in particular, the appendix is formed by a rib 13A that develops from the flat-shaped element 11 upwards the outer side whereof coincides with shoulder 16B.

[0039] The top end of rib 13A is laterally elongated both outwards of the sole for defining the top portion 16C of groove 16, and inwards of the sole for defining a small wing 13B deformable downwards for forming, in the manufacturing step of a shoe, the portion of the lower support of an inner insole, as described hereinafter. As is visible in the figures, prior to the coupling to the insole during the manufacturing step of the shoe, wing 13B develops inclined-wise upwards and towards the centre (that is, the inner zone) of the sole. In the practice, in cross section appendix 13 presents a "mushroom" shape, wherein rib 13A is the stem and the top end directed outwards of the appendix (that is, the one that defines the top portion 16C of the groove) and wing 13B form the enlarged "mushroom" head.

[0040] It should be noted that underneath wing 13B there is a free space adapted for allowing the downward deformation of the tab, that is, from a position wherein the wing is inclined upwards and towards the centre of the sole, to a position wherein the wing is inclined downwards and towards the centre of the sole.

[0041] Again as is well visible in the figures, the lower portion 16A of said groove 16 defined between appendix 13 and flat-shaped element 11 preferably presents a greater plan depth than the top portion 16C of the groove. The difference in depth (that is, width) is indicated in figure 5 with letter "d". Such difference allows facilitating the stitching step of the upper and easily seating the lower edge thereof, as is well visible in figure 8.

[0042] Preferably, tread 12 presents a central portion 12A of treading to the ground wherefrom a portion 12B inclined upwards develops up to the perimetral border 11A of the flat-shaped element 11. In particular, the cross length of the inclined portion 12B is greater than the thickness of the flat-shaped element in the same zone, in the practice defining the ends of the cross section of the sole as two triangles 11 B a vertex whereof is particularly acute and elongated outwards, facilitating the stitching of the upper to appendix 13 and decreasing the sole stiffness with consequent increasing of the comfort of the shoe whereto the sole is applied.

[0043] Suitably, the zone of the flat-shaped element 11 comprised within area 14 delimited by appendix 13 along the perimetral border is lowered relative to the height of the lower portion 16A of the groove. Such relaxation, indicated with "d"' in figure 5, allows facilitating the stitching operations.

[0044] A method for making a shoe that uses a sole like that described above is schematically shown in figures 6 and 7.

[0045] A sole 10 is arranged turned inside out on a mounting tree shoe 17 (see figure 6), so that tread 12 is in contact with the plan of the mounting tree shoe. Subsequently, an upper 18 must be arranged on the mounting tree shoe with the side intended for being outside the shoe facing towards the centre of sole 10, and with the lower edges 18A of the upper bent and inserted in groove 16 of the sole; in the practice, edges 18A are bent as a U and define an inner bending zone 18B inserted within groove 16.

[0046] The edges are then stitched in the bending zone 18B passing stitch 19 through rib 13A of appendix 13 that develops from the flat-shaped element 11. Stitch 19 is engaged with rib 13A and passes the latter from side to side.

[0047] At this point (see figure 7), an insole 20 is arranged and fixed on sole 10 so that the central portion fills the central area 14 delimited by appendix 13 of the sole wherealong stitch 19 of the upper to the sole is made.

[0048] During this last operation, the flared peripheral portion 20A of insole 20 rests on wing 13B of appendix 13 forcing it to bend and become inclined downwards and towards the centre of the sole. The deformation of wing 13B creates a seat 13C underneath the same for the stitch portion that goes beyond rib 13A (in the figures, such seat 13C is shown particularly enlarged only for a better graphical understanding; in the real case, it may have very limited dimensions, in particular coinciding with the dimensions of the stitch in the same zone).

[0049] In the practice, insole 20 is counter-shaped or complementary to the top portion of the sole when wing 13B is bent downwards. More in particular, insole 20 at the top defines a flat portion for resting the foot or for another hygienic insole. Suitably, the insole perimetrally ends with a flat portion 20B adapted for overlapping the top end of appendix 13.

[0050] Finally, the sole-upper assembly is removed from the mounting tree shoe 17 and is turned inside out thanks to the high flexibility of the sole, making the assembly take up the typical setup of a shoe (in figure 8 globally indicated with reference numeral 21), that is, with the upper side intended to remain outside the shoe facing outwards and not towards the centre of the sole anymore; this is made by moving the upper from "underneath" the sole to "on top" of the sole, as indicated with a dashed line by the arrows in figure 8.

[0051] Preferably, a hygienic insole 22 is also arranged on top of insole 20.

[0052] It is understood that the invention just described achieves the intended objects. In fact, with a sole structure according to the invention it is possible to facilitate the manufacture of a shoe of the type with low sole and at the same time improve the comfort of the same shoe.

[0053] It is understood that the description above only represents practical non-limiting embodiments of the invention, which can vary in forms and arrangements without however departing from the scope of the concept on which the invention is based. Any use of reference numbers in the attached claims is made exclusively for the purpose of facilitating the reading of the claims in the light of the above description and attached drawings, and shall not be deemed to restrict the scope of the invention in any way.

Claims

1. Sole (10) for shoes, made of a plastic material, comprising a flat-shaped element (11), defining at the lower part a tread (12), and an appendix (13) that develops upwards along the perimetral zone of at least a front or back portion of said flat-shaped element (11), said appendix (13) and said flat-shaped element (11) delimiting thereinbetween a groove (16) open in a side direction relative to the sole and designed for receiving the edge (18A) of an upper (18) to be associated to the sole (10) for constructing a shoe (21), said groove (16) being formed in a sequence by a first lower portion (16A) that develops from the outer border (11A) of the flat-shaped element (11) inwards, by a shoulder (16B) that develops upwards and by a subsequent top portion (16C) that develops from said shoulder (16B) outwards, characterized in that said appendix (13) develops along the entire perimetral zone of said flat-shape element (11), defining a cavity within the area (14) delimited by said appendix (13), for receiving an insole (20) for the shoe the sole must be associated with.

2. Sole according to claim 1, wherein said appendix (13) is formed by a rib (13A) that develops from said flat-shaped element (11) upwards, the top end of said rib (13A) being laterally elongated both outwards the sole for defining said top portion (16C) and inwards the shoe for defining a small wing (13B) deformable downwards for forming, during the make of a shoe, the portion for the lower resting part of an insole (20) of the shoe (21).

3. Sole according to claim 3, wherein said wing (13B) develops inclined-wise upwards.

4. Sole according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the sole zone comprised within the area (14) delimited by said appendix (13) is lowered relative to the height of said lower portion (16A) of groove (16).

5. Sole according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein said lower portion (16A) of groove (16) presents a plan depth greater than said top portion (16C) of groove (16).

6. Sole according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the tread (12) presents a central portion (12A) for the treading on the ground, wherefrom a portion (12B) develops, inclined upwards up to the perimetral border (11A) of said flat-shaped element (11), the cross length of said inclined portion (12B) being greater than the thickness of said flat-shaped element (11) in the same zone.

7. Shoe (21), characterized in that it comprises a sole (10) according to one or more of the previous claims and a upper (18) presenting edges (18A) arranged bent in said groove (16) and connected to said sole (10) by stitching (19) passing through said appendix (13).

8. Shoe according to claim 7, wherein said stitching (19) passes through a rib (13A) forming said appendix (13), that develops from said flat-shaped element (11) upwardly.

9. Shoe according to claim 7 or 8, comprising an insole (20) arranged within the area (14) inside the sole (10) delimited by said appendix (13), said insole (20) presenting a central portion with filling function of said area (14) inside the sole and a flared peripheral portion (20A) designed for resting against said wing (13B) of said appendix (13), that is deformed so as to be bent downwards in contact with said flat-shaped element (11).

10. Shoe according to claim 9, said insole (20) ends perimetrally with a flat portion (20B) designed for overlapping on the top end of said appendix (13).

11. Method for making a shoe according to claim 8 or 9, comprising the steps of

- making a sole (10) according to one or more of the previous claims, said sole being of the high flexibility type

- arranging the sole (10) turned inside out on a mounting tree shoe (17), so that the tread (12) is in contact with the plan of the mounting tree shoe (17);

- arranging the upper (18) on the mounting tree shoe (17) with the side intended for being outside the shoe facing outwards the sole (10), and with the lower edges (18A) of upper (18) bent and inserted in said groove (16);

- stitching said edges (18A) in the bending zone (18B) passing the stitch (19) through the rib (13A) of the sole that develops from said flat-shaped element (11);

- arranging and fixing the insole (20) on said sole (10) so that the central portion fills the area (14) delimited by the appendix (13) of the sole wherealong the stitching (19) of the upper (18) to the sole is made, and the flared peripheral portion (20A) rests on the wing (13B) of said appendix (13) that is bent downwards;

- turning the sole-upper assembly (10-18) inside out thanks to the high flexibility of the sole, making said assembly take up the typical setup of a shoe.

Drawing