US20220279894A1 - Shoe Sole Layer Having Supporting Means - Google Patents

Abstract

In a shoe sole having a shoe sole layer in which a plurality of supporting means arranged in a plurality of channels extending parallel to one another over the sole surface are introduced, the shoe sole layer and the supporting means should be easy to produce and, as a result of their interaction, should enable an optimised supporting or cushioning effect to be achieved in local regions of the sole surface. This is achieved in that the supporting means are formed in at least two parts from parts that can be separated from one another, more particularly from a shell and at least one core, and that the plurality of supporting means are inserted into the plurality of channels in the vertical direction (V), perpendicularly in relation to the sole longitudinal axis (L), in a manner such that they are retained with a form fit, the supporting means at least partially filling out the channels and the supporting means having, depending on their position on the shoe sole layer, different supporting effects along the sole surface due to their total hardness.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD
• The present invention describes a shoe sole having a shoe sole layer, in which a plurality of supporting means arranged in a plurality of channels extending parallel to one another over the sole surface are introduced.
PRIOR ART
• In the past, the soles of shoes were further developed such that primarily the cushioning properties of the shoe sole or individual shoe sole layers were matched to the usage purpose of the shoe and the size and weight of the wearer of the shoe. In all such developments, it should be ensured that the stability of the entire shoe sole is not reduced. This is sometimes the problem when shoe soles are provided with massage effects, which is not the goal here.
• As known, for example, from CN107440218, shoe sole layers have been developed that have various cushioning means in the profile thereof. These cushioning means are designed as cushion-like or spring-like structures which are incorporated into recesses or cavities during the manufacturing process of the shoe sole layer. With resilient cushioning means, a desired affect can be achieved at defined points such that, for example, pressure points on the sole of the shoe wearer's foot can be prevented during sport activities. When a wearer is especially heavy, CN204908160 also discloses shoes with shoe sole layers having an improved shock absorption. Within the shoe sole layer, there are likewise cavities recessed in which, in turn, cushion-like or spring-like cushioning means are placed.
• The aforementioned ideas appear to be quite vague as a whole, and it is difficult to adapt the commercial mass-production of shoes to the personal requirements of various shoe wearers. It is unclear precisely how an adaptation of the shock absorption properties of the shoe sole layer is supposed to be adjustable, in a reproducible manner, to match to the weight or the usage purpose of the shoe. It is not sufficiently precisely possible in this case to implement the precise adjustment of the cushioning properties. Even if the number of cavities flatly distributed on the sole surface is greatly increased, the adjustment options are very limited. It is unlikely that cushioning means with a sufficiently high density can be flatly distributed on the sole surface. It is certainly difficult for simple manufacturing of such shoe sole layers since the adaptation of the cushioning means in differently sized cavities in the shoe sole layer is associated with a great deal of complexity.
REPRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION
• The object of the present invention is to obtain a shoe sole layer of a shoe sole with a plurality of supporting means, in which the shoe sole layer and the supporting means, due to the interaction thereof, are simple to manufacture, and an optimized supporting or cushioning effect is achieved in local regions of a sole surface.
• It should be possible to achieve different cushioning specifications of the resulting shoe sole, in which the shoe still has a sufficiently stable shoe sole layer. In order to achieve this, the supporting means are placed in the shoe sole layer with a form-fit.
• To achieve the object, the shape of the shoe sole layer or the arrangement and shape of the cavities, matched to the desired shoe size, always have the same structure, in which the selection of the supporting means to be used is different, matched to the cushioning properties to be achieved.
• Variations of combinations of features or slight adaptations of the invention are stated in the detailed description, depicted in the figures, and included in the dependent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The subject matter of the invention is described in detail in the following using the appended drawings. Necessary features, details, and advantages of the invention result from said description as follows.
• The following is shown:
• FIG. 1 a perspective, exploded view of a shoe sole having a plurality of supporting means before insertion into a plurality of channels in a shoe sole layer.
• FIG. 2 a perspective view of various filled supporting means, in which, using an example here, cores with cruciform cross-sectional surfaces are selected.
• FIG. 3 a perspective view of a shoe sole with the shoe sole layer, in which the plurality of supporting means is partly arranged extending away from a sole surface.
DESCRIPTION
• In this case, ashoe sole layer10 is shown as a part of ashoe sole1. Theshoe sole1 itself forms a part of a shoe, which is not shown here. The resultingshoe sole layer10 obtains an adjustable option, finely meshed along the sole surface, for defining the local cushioning properties under discussion here. Specifically defined cushioning properties can be achieved along various regions, in the ball of the foot, in the heel region, in the outer edge region of the foot, or along the longitudinal arch region of the sole surface, which properties are correspondingly scaled for all shoe sizes or sole sizes. These regions are indicated, in a delimited manner, by dashed lines inFIG. 3.
• In the ready-to-use state, theshoe sole layer10 is equipped, at the base, with anoutsole layer11 having aprofile110 of theoutsole layer11. Theoutsole layer11 in this case protrudes up to the height of anupper end surface100. A cover sole and an inner sole or brand sole is typically arranged on theupper end surface100 of theshoe sole layer10 before theentire shoe sole1 is ready for use. For the sake of clarity, these various soles are not shown in this case but could also be an optional part of theshoe sole layer10.
• Channels101 extending parallel to one another over the sole surface are recessed in the shoesole layer10. Thechannels101 are arranged in several rows ofchannels101 parallel to the longitudinal direction L and in several columns ofchannels101 parallel to the transverse direction Q of theshoe sole layer10.
• The extension direction of thechannels101 is oriented in a vertical direction V, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and transverse direction Q, respectively. In this case, thechannels101 extend from the foot-facing,upper end surface100 of theshoe sole layer10, in the direction of theshoe sole layer11, perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L and to the transverse direction Q of theshoe sole layer10. A honeycomb-like structure is formed by the orientation and plurality ofchannels101Channel walls102, which separate the interior of the channels from one another, are arranged betweenadjacent channels101. Thechannels101 preferably all extend parallel to one another, in which the depth of thechannels101 may differ due to the different heights of theshoe sole layer10. This is shown inFIG. 1, in which the depths of thechannels101 are greater in the vertical direction V in the heel region than in the region of the ball of the foot of theshoe sole layer10.
• The cross-sectional surface of thechannels101 in this case is particularly respectively cruciform, in which other flat geometric figures, such as polygons like rectangles, squares, triangles, hexagons, or even stars can be selected.
• The cross-sectional surface in the course of thechannels101 preferably remains constant. This results in the shape of thechannels101 in the form of blind holes in the shoesole layer10, which are open toward theupper end surface100.
• Several supportingmeans2, preferably designed in multiple parts respectively, are then inserted, which are introduced into the plurality ofchannels101 in the vertical direction V. The supporting means2 fill out thechannels101 at least partially. Thus, the supportingmeans2 are retained in thechannels101 with a form-fit. Because the weight force of the shoe wearer is applied in the vertical direction V in use, the supportingmeans2 are retained in a captive manner. The supportingmeans2 should have different hardnesses so that the regions of the shoesole layer10 have different cushioning effects depending on the placement of the supportingmeans2.
• The supportingmeans2 are produced in at least two parts from parts which can be separated from one another. In this case, the two-part variant is shown with ashell20 and at least onecore21 and explained in more detail. Theshell20 in this case is equipped with a cruciform cross-sectional surface, in which an inner shell contour200 is recessed. The cross-sectional surface of theshell20 corresponds to the cross-sectional surface of thechannels101 such that a form-fit connection is possible. In the recessed area of theshell20, thecore21 is introduced in the longitudinal axis of the shell. To this end, thecore21 is provided with a correspondingouter core contour210. The connection between thecore21 and theshell20 is also a form-fit connection.
• Due to the material used for theshell20, the shell height H. and the inner shell contour200, theshell20 has an adjustable hardness. The same applies to thecore21 due to the material thereof, the core height K, and theouter core contour210. A total hardness of each supportingmeans2 is thereby achieved.
• For example, differently insertedcores21 with different hardnesses or anempty shell20 are shown inFIG. 2. Supporting means2 with various levels of hardness and thus cushioning can be achieved through the correct selection ofsuitable shells20 andcores21. Optionally, thecore21 of some supportingmeans2 can be inserted partially protruding from theshell20.
• Preferably however, the core height K of thecore21 is selected to be the same size as the shell height H of theshell20 of the supportingmeans2, and thecores21 are inserted into the inner shell contour200 flush with the shell height H.
• In practice, theshell20 tends to be designed softer than the at least onecore21 such that the hardness of theshell20 is respectively less than the hardness of the incorporated at least onecore21.
• The desired supporting effect or cushioning effect can specifically be achieved locally along the sole surface through the design of the individual parts of the supportingmeans2 and depending on the placement in the course of theshoe sole layer10.
• In the examples shown of the supportingmeans2, the shape of theouter core contour210 or the cross-sectional surface of thecore21 is a cross. This cross-sectional surface has proven to be especially suitable; however, other flat geometric shapes could also be chosen.
• In the finished state of theshoe sole layer10, the supportingmeans2 are introduced into the providedchannels101. In this case, the shell heights H of theshell20 are selected such that the supportingelements2 extend slightly away from the foot-facing,upper end surface100 of theshoe sole layer10. Thus, the end face of theshell20 is not selected to be flush with theupper end surface100 of theshoe sole layer10. The core heights K in this case are selected to be the same size, just as the shell heights H or thecores21 are introduced such that thecores21 and theshells20 thereof terminate flush on one side.
• As shown inFIG. 3, there are sections, for example in the region of the ball of the foot, in which thechannels101 are filled with identical supporting means2, comprisingidentical shells20 andcores21, with a defined total hardness. In other regions, for example in the heel region, the columns ofchannels101 are filled with identical supporting means2 parallel to the transverse direction Q, which have, however, a total hardness different from the supportingmeans2 in the region of the ball of the foot.
• For example, region C is indicated, into which supporting means2 withdifferent shells20,cores21, and/or hardnesses ofshells20 and/orcores21 are introduced in theadjacent channels101. Therefore, a locally very precise adjustment of the cushioning effect can be achieved along the sole surface. Depending on the diameter of thechannels101 and of the supportingmeans2, a high density of supportingmeans2 can be achieved along theupper end surface100 such that a very precise adjustment can be achieved in the local cushioning effect.
• Since theshells20 andcores21 are produced from plastics, preferably from polymers and elastomers, the hardness measurement is implemented using a Shore durometer. Preferably, the Shore A hardnesses are between 20 to 30 and 40 to 50.
• Theshoe sole layer10 with recessedchannels101 can be produced in a plastic injection-molding process or, for example, using a 3D printer. The same applies to theshell20 and thecore21 of the supportingmeans2. Any plastic materials correspondingly processable can be suitable for this. Optionally, thecores21 in the inner shell contour200 can also be attached using an adhesive bond, which is achieved, for example, by means of an adhesive.
• It would also be possible to insert more than onecore21 into theshell20 of each supportingmeans2.
• Since the supportingmeans2 are arranged flatly distributed in the plane of the sole surface in a plurality, the cushioning properties of theshoe sole layer10 can be adjusted very precisely and locally. In this case, directlyadjacent channels101 can be provided with different supporting means2. The plurality of supportingmeans2 can be inserted into the correspondingchannels101 completely in layers. The individual supporting means2 are possibly connected to one another via predetermined breaking-point bridges. In the 3D printing process, theshoe sole layer10 including thechannels101 and the supportingmeans2 can also be printed simultaneously. Accordingly, theshoe sole layer10 according to any of the claims is produced completely by printing in a 3D printing process by means of a 3D printer.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
• 1 Shoe sole
  • 10 Shoe sole layer
    • 100 Upper end surface
    • 101 Channel, channels
    • 102 Channel wall
    • Sole surface
  • 11 Outsole layer
    • 110 Profile of the outsole layer
• 2 Supporting means (plurality, preferably in two parts)
  • 20 Shell
    • 200 Inner shell contour
    • H Shell height
  • 21 Core (of at least one)
    • 210 Outer core contour
    • K Core height
• L Sole longitudinal axis/longitudinal direction (L) of the shoe sole layer
• Q Transverse direction
• V Vertical direction
• C Region

Claims (11)

1. A shoe sole having a shoe sole layer, in which a plurality of supporting means arranged in a plurality of channels extending parallel to one another and arranged over the sole surface is introduced,

wherein

the supporting means are formed in at least two parts from parts that can be separated from one another, more particularly from a shell and at least one core, and in that the plurality of supporting means is inserted into the plurality of channels in the vertical direction (V), perpendicularly in relation to the sole longitudinal axis (L), in a manner such that they are retained with a form-fit, wherein the supporting means at least partially fill out the channels and the supporting means have, depending on their position on the shoe sole layer, different supporting effects along the sole surface due to their total hardness.

2. The shoe sole ofclaim 1, wherein the shell is designed softer than the at least one core.

3. The shoe sole ofclaim 1, wherein an outer core contour of the at least one core is adapted to the inner shell contour of the shell such that the at least one core can be inserted in a manner such that it is retained in the shell with a form-fit.

4. The shoe sole ofclaim 3, wherein the at least one core is attached in the inner shell contour with an adhesive bond.

5. The shoe sole ofclaim 1, wherein the hardness of the at least one core of the supporting means is softer in the region of the balls of the foot of the shoe sole layer than the hardness of the at least one core of the supporting means in the region of the heel of the shoe sole layer.

6. The shoe sole ofclaim 1, wherein a shell height (H) of the shell is selected so that the supporting elements protrude away from a foot-facing, upper end surface of the shoe sole layer in the vertical direction (V) of the shoe sole layer.

7. The shoe sole ofclaim 1, wherein the at least one core protrudes away from the inner shell contours of the shells.

8. The shoe sole ofclaim 6, wherein a core height (K) corresponds to a shell height (H) of the supporting means.

9. The shoe sole ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of channels is formed as a blind hole in the shoe sole layer from which a foot-facing, upper end surface of the shoe sole layer extends to an outsole layer connected to the shoe sole layer.

10. The shoe sole ofclaim 3, wherein the outer core contour of the at least one core represents a cross.

11. The shoe sole ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of channels extends parallel to one other in the vertical direction (V) of the shoe sole layer, from which a foot-facing, upper end surface of the shoe sole layer is arranged, forming a honeycomb-like structure in the direction of an outsole layer perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (L) of the shoe sole layer, and adjacent channels are separated from one another by channel walls.

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