U.S. patent application number 12/281302 was filed with the patent office on 2009-03-26 for seesaw- motion footwear sole.
Invention is credited to Tae Sung Lee.
Application Number | 20090077830 12/281302 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38161627 |
Filed Date | 2009-03-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090077830 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Tae Sung |
March 26, 2009 |
SEESAW- MOTION FOOTWEAR SOLE
Abstract
A footwear sole having a dual-structure midsole, in which a
seesaw movement can be performed to enhance an exercise effect
during walking. The seesaw-motion footwear sole includes a main
midsole having a convex projection in the central portion of the
underside thereof to define a walking axis; a sub-midsole coupled
to the underside of the main midsole and made of a softer material
than that of the main midsole in order to exhibit a primary shock
absorbing function, wherein the sub-midsole allows the main midsole
to perform a seesaw movement on the basis of the walking axis in
backward and forward directions during walking; and an outsole
coupled to the sub-midsole. The seesaw-motion footwear sole can be
applied to a variety of shoes such as running shoes, and can
advantageously provide an excellent exercise effect, which is
superior to that provided by heelless shoes of the prior art.
Inventors: |
Lee; Tae Sung; (Busan,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
38161627 |
Appl. No.: |
12/281302 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
October 9, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2007/004914 |
371 Date: |
August 29, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/108 ; 36/25R;
36/30R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/146 20130101;
A43B 13/145 20130101; A43B 13/10 20130101; A43B 13/183 20130101;
A43B 7/147 20130101; A43B 13/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/108 ; 36/30.R;
36/25.R |
International
Class: |
A43B 23/00 20060101
A43B023/00; A43B 13/14 20060101 A43B013/14; A43B 13/00 20060101
A43B013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 12, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0099359 |
Claims
1. A seesaw-motion footwear sole, comprising: a main midsole having
a convex projection in a central portion of an underside thereof to
define a walking axis; a sub-midsole coupled to an underside of the
main midsole and made of a softer material than that of the main
midsole in order to exhibit a primary shock absorbing function,
wherein the sub-midsole allows the main midsole to perform a seesaw
movement on a basis of the walking axis in backward and forward
directions when walking; and an outsole coupled to the
sub-midsole.
2. The seesaw-motion footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
main midsole includes a shank embedded therein, the shank having an
elastic plate shape in order to maintain a shape of the main
midsole.
3. The seesaw-motion footwear as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
main midsole and the sub-midsole are configured to mate and couple
with each other, in which a portion of a coupling surface of the
sub-midsole convexly projects and a corresponding portion of the
main midsole is concavely recessed.
4. The seesaw-motion footwear as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
portion of the sub-midsole that convexly projects, projects by
varying amounts in response to load distributions thereon.
5. The seesaw-motion footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
sub-midsole has a polyol cloth having a waterproofing function
attached to an outer surface thereof.
6. The seesaw-motion footwear as claimed in claim 5, wherein the
sub-midsole is configured to be thinnest in a portion corresponding
to the walking axis of the main midsole.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a footwear sole, and more
particularly, to a footwear sole having a dual-structure midsole,
with which a seesaw movement can be performed to enhance an
exercise effect during walking.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] In general, a variety of shoes suitable for different
purposes is provided to consumers as living standards and
technologies advance, and in particular, special purpose shoes, to
which various functions are added, have been recently developed.
Examples of special purpose shoes include shoes suitable for
medical treatment of diabetics and running shoes for exercise, etc.
Also, as another kind of functional shoe that is well-known, there
is a heelless shoe, in which a larger exercise effect can be
realized during walking since there is no heelpiece.
[0003] Hereafter, the prior art related to the invention will be
described.
[0004] There is disclosed a `Functional Shoe` in Korean Utility
Model Registration No. 418896, as shown in a cross-sectional view
in FIG. 1 herein. The functional shoe as shown includes a shoe
upper 1, a shoe sole 2, which is coupled to the shoe upper and is
provided with a spacing portion 24 configured to space a portion,
corresponding to the heel of a wearer's foot, apart from the
ground, and a shock absorbing member 4, made of a flexible
material, which is coupled to the spacing portion 24 and in which
an end portion, facing the ground, is spaced apart from the
ground.
[0005] In the functional shoe according to the prior art, the
shock-absorbing member 4 is added to a spacing portion, which is
concavely formed in an existing heelless shoe in order to
complement the heelless shoe. The shock-absorbing member 4,
however, is shaped as if it had no heel so as to be spaced apart
from the ground. Therefore, both the existing heelless shoe and the
functional shoe mentioned above as an example of the prior art have
a problem in that consumers could experience discomfort.
[0006] In detail, in the case of the functional shoe of the prior
art, the external shape thereof, which is different from that of a
conventional shoe, discourages consumers from purchasing the shoe
even if they are made aware of the excellent exercise effect of the
functional shoe. Therefore, there is a need to develop a footwear
sole having an external shape corresponding to that of a
conventional shoe sole while ensuring an exercise effect that is
equal to or better than that of the prior art.
[0007] In addition, when walking, the functional shoe of the prior
art as mentioned above provides the exercise effect only when the
heel portion thereof is spaced apart from the ground. Consequently,
when the load is transferred to the tip of the functional shoe
after the heelpiece thereof has been in contact with the ground,
the shoe behaves similarly to a conventional shoe, thereby causing
a problem in that the amount of movement in the tip might not be
balanced with that in the heelpiece.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0008] In order to solve the problems with the prior art as
mentioned above, an object of the present invention is to provide a
footwear sole having a dual-structure midsole made of different
materials such that movement, such as a seesaw movement, can be
performed to achieve an exercise effect that is balanced across
both the tip and the heelpiece when a user is walking, thereby
ensuring a superior function.
Technical Solution
[0009] To achieve the above objects, the invention provides a
seesaw-motion footwear sole, which includes a main midsole having a
convex projection in the central portion of the underside thereof
to define a walking axis; a sub-midsole coupled to the underside of
the main midsole and made of a softer material than the main
midsole in order to exhibit a primary shock absorbing function,
wherein the sub-midsole allows the main midsole to perform a seesaw
movement on the basis of the walking axis in backward and forward
directions during walking; and an outsole coupled to the
sub-midsole.
[0010] Also, according to an embodiment of the invention, the main
midsole may include a shank embedded therein, the shank having an
elastic plate shape in order to maintain the shape of the main
midsole.
[0011] Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the
invention, the main midsole and the sub-midsole may be configured
to mate and couple with each other, in which a portion of a
coupling surface of the sub-midsole convexly projects and a
corresponding portion of the main midsole is concavely
recessed.
[0012] Furthermore, according to a further embodiment of the
invention, the portion of the sub-midsole, which convexly projects,
may project by varying amounts in response to load distributions
thereon.
[0013] Furthermore, according to still another embodiment of the
invention, the sub-midsole may have a polyol cloth having a
waterproof function attached to the outer surface thereof.
[0014] Finally, according to yet another embodiment of the
invention, the sub-midsole may be thinnest in a portion
corresponding to the walking axis of the main midsole.
[0015] The seesaw-motion footwear sole according to the invention
is applicable to a variety of shoes such as running shoes, and can
advantageously provide an excellent exercise effect that is
superior to that provided by heelless shoes of the prior art.
Moreover, the seesaw-motion footwear sole of the invention can
provide a technique that is expected to be broadly applicable due
to the external shape thereof, which corresponds to a conventional
shoe sole.
ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS
[0016] As set forth above, according to the invention described
above, the dual-structure midsole can provide enhanced shock
absorbing ability, and the seesaw movement during walking can
provide a better exercise effect to users.
[0017] Also, since the coupling surfaces of the main midsole and
the sub-midsole have convex and concave shapes, it is possible to
prevent the sub-midsole from being deformed and to enhance the
durability of the same. In addition, since the amount that the top
surface of the sub-midsole projects into the main midsole can be
varied, the footwear sole can provide an excellent wearing
sensation.
[0018] Moreover, since the seesaw-moveable footwear sole of the
invention has an external shape corresponding to a conventional
shoe sole, the footwear sole can impart a quality expected to
increase exports and domestic sales of the footwear by attracting
consumers.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a functional footwear
according to the prior art;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a schematic elevational side view showing a
footwear sole according to a first embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in
FIG. 2; and
[0022] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view showing a footwear sole
according to a second embodiment of the invention.
MAJOR REFERENCE NUMERALS OF THE DRAWINGS
TABLE-US-00001 [0023] 100: main midsole 110: walking axis 120:
shank 200: sub-midsole 21: polyol cloth 300: outsole
BEST MODE
[0024] Hereinafter, a seesaw-motion footwear sole of the invention
will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings, which show exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Accordingly, all modifications and changes that can be made by
those skilled in the art are intended to fall within the scope of
the invention.
[0025] Meanwhile, important features of the invention generally
relate to a footwear sole, and thus, any known footwear uppers can
be employed as a footwear upper to be coupled with the footwear
sole.
[0026] The seesaw-motion footwear sole according to the invention
generally includes a main midsole 100, a sub-midsole 200 and an
outer sole 300, in which the material of the sub-midsole 200 is
softer than that of the main midsole 100, so that the sub-midsole
200 can have a primary shock absorbing function. In particular, the
main midsole 100 has a convex projection in the center of the
underside thereof to define a walking axis 110, which is formed in
a position corresponding to an arch-shaped metatarsal in the foot
structure. Therefore, front and back foot portions, relative to the
walking axis 110 in the main midsole 100, are formed at a higher
level in a floating state. In general, since the back foot portion,
i.e. the heelpiece of the footwear, first touches the ground and
thus receives the most severe shock thereon, the sub-midsole 200,
coupled to the main midsole 100, is preferably configured to have a
greater thickness in the back foot portion.
[0027] The sub-midsole 200 is coupled to and conforms to the
underside of the main midsole 100, and the outsole 300 is attached
to the underside of the sub-midsole 200. The outsole 300 is
generally used with a rubber material having a slip-prevention
function and high wear resistance. When the main midsole 100 and
the sub-midsole 200 are coupled to each other, an overall external
shape corresponding to a conventional shoe sole is realized.
However, since the walking axis 110 projects from the underside of
the main midsole 100, the sub-midsole 200, which is made of softer
material, can be compressed to absorb the shocks while providing a
seesaw movement in the forward and backward direction on the basis
of the walking axis 100 during actual walking.
FIRST EMBODIMENT
[0028] A first specific embodiment of the seesaw-motion footwear
sole according to the invention has the structure shown in the
schematic side elevational view of FIG. 2 in the accompanying
drawings.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the main midsole 100, the sub-midsole
200 and the outsole 300 are sequentially coupled in this order from
top to bottom, and the main midsole 100 can be provided in the
inside thereof with a plate-shaped shank 120, made of a highly
elastic material. For example, the shank 120 is preferably made of
a metal, a non-ferrous metal, or a nonmetallic material, such as a
plastic material. The shank 120, when embedded in the main midsole
100, can help to maintain the shape of the main midsole 100 while
enhancing a shock absorbing function.
[0030] The center of the underside of the main midsole 100 projects
downwards convexly relative to the other portions therein so as to
serve as the walking axis 110. The main midsole 100 can be inclined
in backward and forward directions like a seesaw on the basis of
the walking axis 110 so as to create an exercise effect during
walking. The sub-midsole 200, which is made of a material softer
than that of the main midsole 100, is coupled to the underside of
the main midsole 100, such that a shock caused during walking can
be primarily absorbed in the sub-midsole 200. In particular, the
first embodiment provides an external shape corresponding to the
conventional shoe sole by coupling the sub-midsole 200 to the
underside of the main midsole 100. Although the external shape of
the seesaw-motion footwear sole according to the invention
corresponds to a conventional footwear sole, the footwear sole of
the invention has a dual-midsole structure of the main midsole 100
and the sub-midsole 200, which are made of materials having
different degrees of hardness. In addition, the walking axis 110
projects from the center of the underside of the main midsole 100,
and the sub-midsole 100, which is made of a softer material, is
compressed upon contact with the ground. Therefore, the footwear
sole of the invention provides a feature in which a seesaw movement
is performed on the basis of the walking axis 110.
[0031] The sub-midsole 200 is thinnest in a portion corresponding
to the walking axis 110 of the main midsole 100, with the back foot
portion thereof formed to be thicker than the front foot portion
thereof. During walking, the back foot portion can absorb most of
the shock because it first contacts the ground, such that the main
midsole 100 can be slanted on the basis of the walking axis 110 in
the backward direction and then in the forward direction as the
load thereon is moved in the forward direction. Namely, the
footwear sole of the invention can be slanted at a greater angle on
the basis of the walking axis 110 to achieve an excellent exercise
effect during walking compared to that of the conventional
shoes.
[0032] In the seesaw-motion footwear sole according to the
invention, the main midsole 100 and the sub-midsole 200 are more
preferably configured to be coupled to each other by concave and
convex portions, i.e. male and female-shaped portions formed on
coupling surfaces therebetween. Referring to FIG. 3, showing a
cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A in FIG. 2, the center
of the underside of the main midsole 100 is concavely recessed and,
correspondingly, the top surface of the sub-midsole 200 projects
convexly so as to be coupled with the concave recess of the main
midsole 100. In other words, portions of the sub-midsole 200 in the
vicinity of left and right edges thereof are formed to be lower
than the center thereof. This causes the center, to which the
greatest load is applied, to be strengthened and provide a better
shock absorbing ability. In addition, using the sub-midsole 200
made of the softer material allows the thickness of the outer edges
thereof to be decreased, thereby reducing deformation in the
sub-midsole 200 when a load is biased to either side of the shoe in
the case of walking on uneven ground.
[0033] When coupling surfaces of the main midsole 100 and the
sub-midsole 200 mate and are coupled with each other, the position
or the projecting or recessed amount of the mating/coupling
surfaces is preferably determined according to load distributions
on the coupling surfaces.
SECOND EMBODIMENT
[0034] Next, a seesaw-moveable shoe according to a second
embodiment of the invention will be described below. Referring to
FIG. 4, showing a schematic side view of the second embodiment,
this embodiment is characterized in that the sub-midsole 200 has a
polyol cloth 210 with a strong waterproof function attached to the
outer surface thereof.
[0035] The sub-midsole 200 is vulnerable to water since the
sub-midsole 200 is made of a softer material than the main midsole
200. Therefore, when the sub-midsole 200 is constructed, the polyol
cloth 210 is preferably attached to the outer surface of the
sub-midsole 200 in order to maintain the original properties
thereof for a long period of time. The polyol cloth may be selected
from any of various known polyol cloths.
[0036] In the seesaw-motion footwear sole according to the
invention, since the midsole is formed by coupling the sub-midsole
200 of a softer material to the main midsole 100 of a harder
material and the main midsole 100 has the walking axis 110
projecting from the underside thereof, the seesaw movement in
forward and backward directions on the basis of the waking axis 110
can be performed so as to maximize the exercise effect during
walking.
[0037] Moreover, since the material of the sub-midsole 200 is
softer than that of the main midsole 100, the sub-midsole 200 can
absorb shocks well during walking and can also be compressed by a
larger amount so as to allow seesaw movement of the main midsole
100 on the basis of the walking axis 110.
* * * * *