U.S. patent application number 12/750094 was filed with the patent office on 2011-08-04 for sole for footwear.
Invention is credited to Juan Peran Ramos.
Application Number | 20110185593 12/750094 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43901162 |
Filed Date | 2011-08-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110185593 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ramos; Juan Peran |
August 4, 2011 |
SOLE FOR FOOTWEAR
Abstract
The invention relates to an improved sole for footwear with a
convex or rounded shape, provided with a stabilizer, with a damping
system and with an internal system for the rotation of air, which
modifies the phase of contact of the foot with the ground in a
roller, such that it transforms the process of reception of the
ground (with the heel of the foot) and forward translation of the
propelling forces (by means of the area of the metatarsus and toes)
in a roller effect, obtaining the damping/stability/impulse
effects, and the actuation of the airing system by means of a
pad/wedge, the outsole thus configured allowing a rotation on the
ground such that the inertia of the body and the vertical forces
applied from the heel of the foot are more easily converted into
horizontal propelling forces.
Inventors: |
Ramos; Juan Peran; (Elche,
ES) |
Family ID: |
43901162 |
Appl. No.: |
12/750094 |
Filed: |
March 30, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/103 ; 36/28;
36/3B; 36/37 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/203 20130101;
A43B 13/206 20130101; A43B 13/145 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/103 ; 36/3.B;
36/28; 36/37 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/14 20060101
A43B013/14; A43B 7/06 20060101 A43B007/06; A43B 13/18 20060101
A43B013/18; A43B 21/32 20060101 A43B021/32 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 4, 2010 |
ES |
U 201000104 |
Claims
1. An improved sole for footwear, characterized in that it is
provided with a stabilizer, with a damping system, with an internal
system for the rotation of air, and in that it has a convex or
rounded shape, being configured by the following elements: the
stabilizer (2) for securing the shoe and fixing the foot has the
curve of the last and consists of a rigid sheet of a thermoplastic
material or the like which encompasses the entire sole of the foot,
and has holes (17) allowing the passage of air towards the insole.
the actual sole (3) of PU, thermoplastic material or the like, to
which the stabilizer (2) is adhered at its upper part and the
outsole/runner (5) is adhered at its lower part, and which
integrates the pad/wedge (4); the sole (3) is provided with a
network of channels (6) for the circulation of air. The pad/wedge
(4) of PU or similar material, with a convex or rounded shape in
its base and with a preferably ellipsoidal plan (8), located in the
central area of the sole (2) in the part of the heel of the foot,
with a dual function of damping and absorption and impulse of the
air of the airing system, and consisting of: a convex cavity (9) in
the form of a suction cup the elastic composition of which allows
its compression or sinking (12) with the weight of the body and the
expansion or recovery of its initial shape (13) and (14); air inlet
holes (11); cylinder (10) for the rising of air; The outsole/runner
of TPU material or similar material, with a high strength, which
provides greater grip and maximum durability to the sole.
2. The improved sole for footwear according to claim 1,
characterized in that the stabilizer (2) provides stability and
rigidity to the footwear and at the same time distributes the
pressures along the sole, favoring the walk with a rocking effect
and the securing of the foot, so that it does not twist towards the
sides, upon giving way due to the weight of the body, since the
wedge (4) is soft.
3. The improved sole for footwear according to claim 1,
characterized in that the pad/wedge (4) with a convex or rounded
shape causes the damping/stability/impulse effects by articulating
a natural movement bending similar to the sensation of walking
barefoot over sand and which provides the footwear with the damping
effect facilitating the "rocking walk" and, in turn, the
compression thereof due to the weight of the body impulses the air
through a system of channels (6) located inside the sole,
generating a rotation of air which rises to the sole of the foot
through holes (17) made in the stabilizer (2).
Description
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved sole for
footwear which modifies the phase of contact of the foot with the
ground in a roller, such that it transforms the process of
reception of the ground (with the heel of the foot) and forward
translation of the propelling forces (by means of the area of the
metatarsus and toes) in a roller effect.
[0002] The object of the invention is a sole with a curved shape,
provided with a wedge which causes the damping/stability/impulse
effects and which in turn actuates an airing system, the outsole
thus configured allowing a rotation on the ground such that the
inertia of the body and the vertical forces applied from the heel
of the foot are more easily converted into horizontal propelling
forces.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0003] This invention is applicable within the sector of the
footwear industry.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] As is known, in most of the footwear which is marketed, the
outsole is formed by a heel at the height of the heel of the foot
and a hard surface encompassing the entire sole of the foot. This
type of footwear causes a certain gait, through which some parts of
the locomotor system are no longer used, which can generate back,
joint, vein, pain or deviation problems.
[0005] The design of the aforementioned traditional footwear,
however, includes in many of the cases a convex outsole, either
rounded or not, the point of inflection being located where the new
plane starts at approximately the height of the metatarsus, an
angle of variable degrees being defined in each case. There are
infinite shoes on the market having this feature, which is
reflected, for example, in the drawings of patent AU613915
(Cohen).
[0006] In addition, there is a series of shoes with an outsole of
considerable volumes, in which the convexity of the aforementioned
outsole is obtained by means of a curved design thereof, the use of
which entails a change in the gait, mainly providing two health
benefits in comparison with common footwear: reduction of the load
on the joints and increase of the muscular action (to maintain
balance). This footwear is based on its instability, such that the
body, due to its tendency to seek balance, performs small muscular
works intended for the conservation of said balance, which
translates into an almost imperceptible physical and toning
activity.
[0007] There are a number of patents describing a convex outsole
for obtaining the aforementioned effect.
[0008] Patents WO99/03368 (Muller) and WO2009/061103 (Kim) can be
mentioned among such patents since, either in their descriptions or
in their marketing, they compare the effect caused by the rounded
convex outsole with the gait of a "Masai" due to the peculiar way
of walking of the members of said African tribe.
[0009] These patents described an angle which in the first of them
ranges between 8 and 20 degrees, and in the second of them between
10 and 60 degrees.
[0010] However, regardless of other features which they may
introduce, convex outsoles for the purpose of facilitating the
mentioned gait have been previously described, for example in U.S.
Pat. No. 3,835,556 (Panaretos), the object of which consists of
providing a shoe which reduces the time and energy required for
walking and which results in a movement which is quicker, more
comfortable and graceful and which is characterized by its convex
outsole causing the described gait.
[0011] In addition, aforementioned patents WO99/03368 (Muller) and
WO2009/061103 (Kim) configure the characteristic gait both by means
of the convex outsole and by the existence in the heel of the foot
of a material with a different density with respect to the rest of
the outsole, accentuating the damping effect in the support phase.
The use of materials with a different density for said purpose is
also known and previously described in patents such as U.S. Pat.
No. 4,372,059 (Ambrose) and JP6284903.
[0012] Finally, a number of patent background documents are known
which incorporate an airing or ventilation system with a different
configuration, some of them being based on a spring, such as the
one described in patent CN2123899.
[0013] However, no footwear for frequent daily use which is capable
of offering all the aforementioned features is known.
[0014] The improved sole for footwear proposed by the invention
consists of a sole with a convex curved shape, provided with a
wedge which causes the damping/stability/impulse effects and which
in turn actuates an airing system, the outsole thus configured
allowing a rotation on the ground such that the inertia of the body
and the vertical forces applied from the heel of the foot are more
easily converted into horizontal propelling forces.
[0015] The technical solution provided represents a novelty
compared to the footwear known up until now due to the fact that
even though it is based on a rounded convex outsole, the gait and
the damping/stability/impulse effect is obtained through a wedge,
or pad, consisting of a part with an ellipsoidal plan which is
integrated in the outsole at the height of the heel of the foot, in
the central area thereof, which part in turn forms part of the
airing system, specifically it is the air inlet part, using the
walking action itself.
[0016] Likewise, the improved sole for footwear incorporates a
central stabilizer providing stability at the time of the step, and
fixes the position of the foot to prevent twists and sprains, which
can be more usual as a consequence of the instability
characterizing the known footwear with a convex out sole.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] The improved sole for footwear proposed by the invention has
all the aforementioned features: convex or rounded shape, provided
with a stabilizer, with a damping system and with an internal
system for the rotation of air.
[0018] To that end, and more specifically, the improved sole for
footwear proposed by the invention is configured from a sole (1)
with a curved or rounded convex shape, formed by four main parts,
which are structured as follows, from top to bottom:
[0019] A stabilizer (2), with the curve of the last, consisting of
a rigid sheet of a thermoplastic material or the like which
encompasses the entire sole of the foot, providing stability and
rigidity to the footwear at the time of the step, fixes the
position of the foot to prevent twists and sprains, and distributes
the pressures along the sole. Furthermore, this parts fulfills the
function of securing the shoe for the purpose of favoring the
walking with a rocking effect and securing the foot, so that it
does twist towards the sides, upon giving way due to the weight of
the body, since the wedge (4) is soft. This stabilizer (2) has a
series of holes (17) allowing the passage of air towards the
insole. The stabilizer (2) is adhered to the sole (3) at its upper
part.
[0020] actual sole (3), of TPU material or similar material,
consisting of the sole of the footwear, and to which the stabilizer
(2) and the outsole/runner (5) are adhered, and in which the
pad/wedge (4) is integrated; the sole (3) has a network of channels
(6) for the circulation of air and its distribution in the entire
surface of the insole.
[0021] pad/wedge (4), of PU or similar material, with a convex,
slightly rounded shape (7) at its lower part to cause the damping
(12)/stability (13)/impulse (14) effects, consisting of a part with
a preferably ellipsoidal plan (8) in the form of a suction cup (9)
in its central body, and cylindrical (10) at its upper part. The
part in the form of a suction cup (9) is internally hollow and is
provided with perimetric air inlet holes (11).
[0022] The pad/wedge (4) is housed at the rear part of the sole,
coinciding with the part of the heel of the foot, and performs two
functions:
[0023] a.--During the step, in the first contact of the heel of the
foot with the ground (12), the object of the hollow cavity is to be
compressed with the weight of the body and recover its initial
shape when it is free of the weight of the step in the heel (13)
and (14) of the foot. This modification of the state provides the
footwear with the damping effect which facilitates the "rocking
walk", causing a natural movement bending similar to the sensation
of walking barefoot over sand,
[0024] b.--During the step, in the stability phase (13) and impulse
phase (14), the hollow cavity of the suction cup (9) recovers its
initial shape, expanding and filling with air (16) which penetrates
through the perimetric holes (11); the air stored in this cavity
(9) has a tendency to rise, and in the damping phase (12), when the
weight of the body (15) compresses the suction cup (9) it impulses
the circulation of air which moves through the network of channels
(6) located inside the sole (3), generating a system for the
rotation of air which rises to the sole of the foot (18) through
the holes (17) existing in the stabilizer (2).
[0025] outsole/runner (5) of TPU material or similar material, with
a high strength, which provides greater grip and maximum durability
to the sole.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0026] To complement the description which is being made and for
the purpose of aiding to better understand the features of the
invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of
said description, in which the following has been depicted with an
illustrative and non-limiting character:
[0027] FIG. 1 shows an elevational view of the complete sole with
the three parts, stabilizer, sole and outsole, integrated
therein.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the stabilizer and of the
air passage holes.
[0029] FIG. 3 shows an elevational view of the actual sole.
[0030] FIG. 4 shows a bottom plan view of the outsole/runner.
[0031] FIG. 5 shows an elevational exploded view of the three
elements, stabilizer, sole and outsole.
[0032] FIG. 6 shows a schematic depiction of the three phases of
the rocking walk (damping/stability/impulse) and the effect
occurring in the convex cavity existing in the pad/wedge during the
step, which is compressed due to the effect of the weight and
expands after the step, recovering its convex shape.
[0033] FIG. 7 shows a top plan view of the pad/wedge in which the
air inlet channels are observed.
[0034] FIG. 8 shows a top plan view of the sole in which the
network of channels for the circulation of air.
[0035] FIG. 9 shows a schematic depiction of the operation of the
airing system due to the effect of the step on the pad/wedge.
[0036] FIG. 10 shows a sectional exploded view of the three
elements, stabilizer, sole and outsole, which allows observing the
location of the pad/wedge.
[0037] FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of the three elements,
stabilizer, sole and outsole, integrated therein, observing the
location of the pad/wedge.
[0038] FIG. 12 shows a plan view of the pad/wedge.
[0039] FIG. 13 shows an elevational view of the pad/wedge.
[0040] FIG. 14 shows a sectional view of the pad/wedge.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0041] In view of the mentioned figures, it can be observed how the
improved sole for footwear, object of this invention, configures a
footwear with the sole in a convex or rounded shape, provided with
a stabilizer, a damping system and an internal system for the
rotation of air.
[0042] The sole (1) is configured from four main parts, the
stabilizer (2), the actual sole (3), the pad/wedge (4) and the
outsole/runner (5), the stabilizer (2) being adhered to the sole
(3) at the upper part thereof, and the outsole (5) being adhered to
the sole (3) at the lower part thereof. The pad/wedge (4) is
integrated in the sole (3) and projects slightly from the outsole
(5).
[0043] The stabilizer (2), with the curve of the last, formed by a
rigid sheet of a thermoplastic material or the like, fixes the foot
by counteracting the instability involved in the "sinking" of the
area of the heel of the foot when the step starts, causing the
damping. The stabilizer therefore provides stability and rigidity
to the footwear at the time of the step, and fixes the position of
the foot to prevent twists and sprains, and distributes the
pressures along the sole.
[0044] The stabilizer (2) also forms part of the airing system as
it has a series of holes (17) allowing the passage of the air
towards the insole.
[0045] The actual sole (3) of TPU material or similar material, to
which the stabilizer (2) and the outsole/runner (5) are adhered and
in which the pad/wedge (4) is integrated, has a series of channels
(6) for the circulation of air.
[0046] The pad/wedge (4), of PU or similar material, as a result of
its convex, slightly rounded shape (7) at its lower part, with an
ellipsoidal plan (8), causes the damping/stability/impulse effect,
causing a natural movement bending similar to the sensation of
walking barefoot over sand.
[0047] The outsole/runner (5) of TPU material or similar material,
with a high strength, which provides greater grip and maximum
durability to the sole.
[0048] With the thus configured improved sole for footwear, the
dual functionality thereof, as a damping/stability/impulse system
and as an airing system, is obtained.
[0049] During the step, in the first contact of the heel of the
foot with the ground (12), the object of the hollow cavity is to be
compressed with the weight of the body and recover its initial
shape when it is free of the weight of the step in the heel (13)
and (14) of the foot. This modification of the state provides the
footwear with the damping effect which facilitates the "rocking
walk", since in the moment in which there is no step and therefore
no stress, its convex shape is maintained, whereas when the step
starts, and the heel of the foot exerts a pressure in this area,
the cavity is compressed and ends up disappearing, being flat and
thus causing a shock absorbing effect.
[0050] During the step, in the stability phase (13) and impulse
phase (14), the hollow cavity of the suction cup (9) expands and
recovers its initial shape and fills with air (16) which penetrates
through the perimetric holes (11); the air stored in this cavity
(9) has a tendency to rise, and in the damping phase (12), the
weight of the body (15) acting on the suction cup (9) impulses the
circulation of the air which moves through the cylindrical part
(10) and reaches the network of channels (6) located inside the
sole (3), generating a system for the rotation of air, which air
rises to the sole of the foot (18) through the holes (17) existing
in the stabilizer (2).
[0051] The
damping/compression--stability/expansion--impulse/expansion gait
scheme is repeated with every step and is parallel to that of
airing, compression/impulse and circulation of
air--expansion/absorption of air, therefore obtaining not only the
damping/stability/impulse effects, but also the actuation in turn
of an airing system, the outsole thus configured allowing a
rotation on the ground such that the inertia of the body and the
vertical forces applied from the heel of the foot are more easily
converted into horizontal propelling forces.
* * * * *