FOOTWEAR SOLE

Abstract

 Sole for footwear that includes configurations that improve the cushioning in a user's tread with respect to known soles, comprising a lower layer and a side wall, the lower layer comprising a front part, a middle part and a rear part; in at least one portion of the front or rear part of the lower layer there are at least two protrusions, each arranged and extended transversely to the longitudinal axis of the sole, each protrusion comprising a first branch oriented towards the front end of the sole and a second branch oriented towards the rear end of the sole; between the side ends of each protrusion and the side wall there is a first separation that allows the full bending of the protrusion; two adjacent branches are joined by at least a first partition arranged transversely to said branches.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention lies within the field of soles for footwear, and in particular those that include configurations that improve cushioning of the tread.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Shoe soles are known which include configurations protruding from the lower layer of the sole upwards to serve as cushioning for the tread.

[0003] Some known configurations are arranged perpendicularly to the lower layer of the sole, such as conical frustums or hemispheres, which makes them suitable for large efforts or heavy users, i.e., they cushion large loads, so for normal use they have no effect and become uncomfortable. There are also known slat-type configurations in which the slats are arranged at an inclination with respect to the lower layer of the sole, which, although more comfortable than the previous ones, are only suitable for withstanding large and medium loads, which also makes them uncomfortable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This invention is established and characterised in the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe other features thereof.

[0005] The object of the invention is a sole for footwear that includes configurations that improve the cushioning in a user's tread with respect to known soles. The technical problem addressed is how to configure the sole in order to achieve the aforementioned object.

[0006] In view of the above, the present invention relates to a sole for footwear comprising a lower layer and a side wall along the perimeter of the lower layer. As a way of locating the various usual areas with respect to the position of the sole on footwear worn by a user, the lower layer comprises a front part corresponding to the front area of a user's foot, a middle part corresponding to the middle area of a user's foot and a rear part corresponding to the rear area of a user's foot. In at least one portion of the front or rear part of the lower tread, there are at least two protrusions, each arranged and extended transversely to the longitudinal axis of the sole.

[0007] The sole is characterised in that each protrusion comprises a first branch oriented towards the front end of the sole and a second branch oriented towards the rear end of the sole, between the side ends of each protrusion and the side wall there is a first separation that allows the full bending of the protrusion; this creates a very soft and pleasant cushioning effect as both branches cooperate in both directions.

[0008] The sole is also characterised in that two adjacent branches are joined by at least a first partition arranged transversely to said branches. These first partitions, as has been experimentally verified, act as cushioning regulators, so that they have a very important influence on achieving greater or lesser cushioning, depending on the greater or lesser height and separation of the branches. The first partitions are also very important to maintain the recovery capacity of the branches over time, after suffering the user's load and during the whole life of the sole.

[0009] As a result of the branches flexing after treading, there is an increase of the interior space in the sole, tailored to each foot, adjusting exactly to the shape, size and even defects, even for the different feet of a single user, so that a custom-made sole is achieved.

[0010] The arrangement and separation between the slats is such that it does not allow the use of a tool for machining the mould of the sole, but requires the use of different processes such as 3D printing.

[0011] The number of protrusions depends on the desired use, since sports footwear is different from street footwear, as is men's from women's. In this regard, their arrangement in one area or another of the sole also depends on the use; for example, high-heeled women's footwear has no space in the rear area for any protrusions, and these are only arranged in the front area.

[0012] In short, there is no known precedent for a sole as claimed, which makes it unique in terms of comfort and comprehensive manufacturing by moulding, in a single piece, without the need to incorporate any added element after its manufacture, whereby the sole is more economical.

[0013] Other advantages related with the features of the dependent claims are indicated in the detailed explanation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0014] This specification is supplemented by a set of drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment but which are never intended to limit the invention.

Figure 1

shows a plan view of the sole.

Figure 2

shows a cross-sectional view of the sole.

Figure 3

shows a longitudinal section of the sole.

Figure 4

shows a perspective view of the sole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the figures.

[0016] Figures 1 and 3 show a sole for footwear comprising a lower layer (1) and a side wall (2) along the perimeter of the lower layer, the lower layer (1) comprising a front part (1.1) corresponding to the front area of a user's foot, a middle part (1.2) corresponding to the middle area of a user's foot and a rear part (1.3) corresponding to the rear area of a user's foot, in at least one portion of the front (1.1) or rear part (1.3) of the lower layer (1) there are at least two protrusions (1.4); the figures show 7 in the front part (1.1) and 4 in the rear part (1.3), but their number will depend on the sole size as well as the intended cushioning.

[0017] Each protrusion (1.4) is arranged and extended transversely to the longitudinal axis (E) of the sole, the longitudinal axis being understood as that running from one end of the sole to the other and through its middle part, even if it involves some change of direction as shown in Figure 1.

[0018] As seen in Figure 1, each protrusion (1.4) comprises a first branch (1.41) oriented towards the front end of the sole and a second branch (1.42) oriented towards the rear end of the sole; between the side ends of each protrusion (1.4) and the side wall (2) there is a first separation (S1) that allows the full bending of the protrusion (1.4). In this way each protrusion (1.4) is actually forked into two, in both longitudinal directions in both cases, whereby they cushion the efforts in both directions, which provides a different cushioning to that known; in addition, two adjacent branches (1.41,1.42) are joined by at least a first partition (3) arranged transversely to said branches (1.41,1.42), with the previously discussed advantages of cushioning regulation.

[0019] The conjunction of these configurations is what provides the sole with a particular cushioning that is different from what is known. The specific dimensions depend on each use and in combination with the material that is used among those usual for soles: rubber, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), etc. The combination of dimensions, with material, with the claimed configurations gives rise to an intended cushioning, which will depend on each case.

[0020] One option is that each protrusion (1.4) comprises a base (1.5) arranged between the lower layer (1) and the first (1.41) and second (1.42) branches. This, for example, as shown in Figure 3, is suitable when the protrusions (1.4) acquire a certain height, such as in the rear part (1.3) corresponding to the heel area.

[0021] Another option is that between two adjacent protrusions (1.4) there is a second separation (S2), shown in Figure 1, so that when each protrusion (1.4) flexes, either towards the front end of the sole or towards the rear end, when supporting a user's foot, a portion of at least one of the branches (1.41,1.42) touches the adjacent protrusion (1.4) or the side wall (2) if it is the first protrusion (1.4) of the front part (1.1) or the rear part (1.3). It is usual that there is no contact between two protrusions (1.4) or with the side wall (2) because the configuration with branches (1.41,1.42) makes the cushioning sufficient, however, it can happen that for large loads, for example for relatively heavy users, that it is appropriate for the configurations to rest on one another in their bending in order to improve support under large loads.

[0022] Another option is that between the side wall (2) and the first protrusion (1.4) from the front part (1.1) there is a third separation (S3), shown in Figure 1, so that when said protrusion (1.4) flexes towards the front end of the sole, when supporting a user's foot, one of the branches (1.41,1.42) rests at least partly on the side wall (2). Similarly, between the side wall (2) and the first protrusion (1.4) from the rear part (1.3) there is a fourth separation (S4), shown in Figure 1, so that when said protrusion (1.4) flexes towards the rear end of the sole, when supporting a user's foot, one of the branches (1.41,1.42) rests at least partly on the side wall (2). In this way, the effect between protrusions (1.4) is repeated when one of them is the first from each end of the sole, whereby the whole assembly of protrusions (1.4) behaves similarly.

[0023] Another option is that at least one protrusion (1.4) in the front part (1.1) and/or at least one protrusion (1.4) in the front part (1.1) has in each branch (1.41,1.42) at least one groove (1.43), shown in Figures 1 and 3, so that grooves (1.43) of adjacent branches (1.41,1.42) face one another forming branch portions (1.44). In this way the behaviour inside a protrusion (1.4) can be independent by sectors, especially when their dimension is such that it is suitable, as in the front part (1.1) where the tread can tilt towards one side or the other, besides the fact that the load is not the same in a central area as in those adjacent thereto.

[0024] Another option is that the height (H) of the protrusions (1.4) is greater than the height (h) of the side wall (2), shown in Figure 2. Although it may be less or equal, the cushioning is improved when it is greater since the protrusions (1.4) act on the user's foot before any other configuration.

[0025] Another option is that two adjacent protrusions (1.4) are joined by means of at least one second partition (4), shown in Figures 1 and 3, arranged transversely to said protrusions (1.4) and its height being equal to or less than that of the latter. This configuration provides rigidity to the assembly and although it can be arranged both in the front part (1.1) and in the rear part (1.3), it is more usual in the latter, where the user's heel is located and therefore with the highest loads during the tread.

[0026] Also, other similar partitions can be arranged in the middle part (1.2) as shown in Figures 1 and 3 without numerical reference. These other partitions have no other mission than that of providing continuity to the configurations of the sole and in a very limited way they provide some cushioning although in that area the loads in the tread are minimal.

Claims

1. Sole for footwear comprising a lower layer (1) and a side wall (2) along the perimeter of the lower layer, the lower layer (1) comprising a front part (1.1) corresponding to the front area of a user's foot, a middle part (1.2) corresponding to the middle area of a user's foot and a rear part (1.3) corresponding to the rear area of a user's foot; in at least one portion of the front (1.1) or rear part (1.3) of the lower layer (1) there are at least two protrusions (1.4), each arranged and extended transversely to the longitudinal axis (E) of the sole, characterised in that each protrusion (1.4) comprises a first branch (1.41) oriented towards the front end of the sole and a second branch (1.42) oriented towards the rear end of the sole; between the side ends of each protrusion (1.4) and the side wall (2) there is a first separation (S1) allowing the full bending of the protrusion (1.4), two adjacent branches (1.41,1.42) being joined by at least a first partition (3) arranged transversely to said branches (1.41,1.42).

2. Sole according to claim 1 wherein each protrusion (1.4) comprises a base (1.5) arranged between the lower layer (1) and the first (1.41) and second (1.42) branches.

3. Sole according to any of the preceding claims wherein between two adjacent protrusions (1.4) there is a second separation (S2), so that when each protrusion (1.4) flexes, either towards the front end of the sole or towards the rear end, when supporting a user's foot, a portion of at least one of the branches (1.41,1.42) touches the adjacent protrusion (1.4) or the side wall (2) if it is the first protrusion (1.4) of the front part (1.1) or the rear part (1.3).

4. Sole according to any of the preceding claims wherein between the side wall (2) and the first protrusion (1.4) from the front part (1.1) there is a third separation (S3), so that when said protrusion (1.4) flexes towards the front end of the sole, when supporting a user's foot, one of the branches (1.41,1.42) is supported at least partly on the side wall (2).

5. Sole according to any of the preceding claims wherein between the side wall (2) and the first protrusion (1.4) from the rear part (1.3) there is a fourth separation (S4) so that when said protrusion (1.4) flexes towards the rear end of the sole, when supporting a user's foot, one of the branches (1.41,1.42) rests at least partly on the side wall (2).

6. Sole according to any of the preceding claims wherein at least one protrusion (1.4) in the front part (1.1) and/or at least one protrusion (1.4) in the front part (1.1) has in each branch (1.41,1.42) at least one groove (1.43), so that grooves (1.43) of adjacent branches (1.41,1.42) face one another forming branch portions (1.44).

7. Sole according to any of the preceding claims wherein the height (H) of the protrusions (1.4) is greater than the height (h) of the side wall (2).

8. Sole according to any of the preceding claims wherein two adjacent protrusions (1.4) are joined by at least a second partition (4) arranged transversely to said protrusions (1.4) and its height being equal to or less than that of the latter.

Drawing