U.S. patent application number 13/500044 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-02 for outer sole for shoes and shoes comprising such outer soles.
Invention is credited to Christian Thagaard Hansen, Mario Iseppi.
Application Number | 20120192455 13/500044 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41820718 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120192455 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hansen; Christian Thagaard ;
et al. |
August 2, 2012 |
OUTER SOLE FOR SHOES AND SHOES COMPRISING SUCH OUTER SOLES
Abstract
An outsole for a shoe, at least a portion of the outsole has a
grid structure of intersecting lines along the course of which the
outsole has increased flexibility The grid structure is irregularly
formed by lines which are determined on the one hand at least by
the course of the connecting curve through the toe joints between
the distal phalanx and the proximal phalanx of the big toe and
between the respective middle phalanx and proximal phalanx of the
second, third, fourth and toes, and on the other hand by the course
of the respective intermediate spaces between the five toes when
the sole is positioned to fit under the wearer's foot. In the same
way, a shoe having an outsole of the kind described above is also
proposed.
Inventors: |
Hansen; Christian Thagaard;
(Flensburg, DE) ; Iseppi; Mario; (Geneve,
CH) |
Family ID: |
41820718 |
Appl. No.: |
13/500044 |
Filed: |
October 1, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
October 1, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2010/064674 |
371 Date: |
April 3, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/103 ;
36/25R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/26 20130101; A43B
13/16 20130101; A43B 13/141 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/103 ;
36/25.R |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/14 20060101
A43B013/14; A43B 13/00 20060101 A43B013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 4, 2009 |
EP |
09172159.7 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. An outsole for a shoe, comprising: a grid structure over at
least a portion of the outsole having intersecting lines along a
course of which the outsole has increased flexibility, the grid
structure is irregularly formed by lines determined by one of: a
course of a connecting curve through toe joints at least one of:
between a distal phalanx and a proximal phalanx of a big toe; and
between a respective middle phalanx and proximal phalanx of second,
third, fourth and fifth toes; and a course of respective
intermediate spaces between five toes.
13. A shoe comprising: an upper part for covering at least a
portion of a foot of a shoe wearer; a sole that is connected to the
upper part; an insole of the sole configured to come into contact
with an underside of the wearer's foot when the shoe is worn; and
an outsole of the sole, wherein at least a portion of the outsole
has a grid structure of intersecting lines along the course of
which the outsole has an increased flexibility, the grid structure
is irregularly formed by lines determined by at least one of: a
course of a connecting curve through toe joints one of: between a
distal phalanx and a proximal phalanx of a big toe; and between a
respective middle phalanx and proximal phalanx of second, third,
fourth, and fifth toes a course of a respective intermediate spaces
between the five toes.
14. The outsole according to claim 12, wherein the grid comprises
at least one additional line selected from lines determined when
the sole is positioned to fit under the wearer's foot by: a course
of a connecting curve through the toe joints between a respective
distal phalanx and the middle phalanx of the second, third, fourth
and fifth toes, a course of the connecting curve through the toe
joints of the respective proximal phalanx and a metatarsal bones of
the five toes, a course of a connecting curve of articulation of
the toes with cuneiform bones and cuboid bone, respectively, a
course of a connecting curve in front of a navicular bone, and a
course of a connecting curve behind the navicular bone to behind
the cuboid bone.
15. The outsole according to claim 14, wherein the increased
flexibility is achieved by at least one of two-fold and three-fold
profile indentations in the outsole.
16. The shoe according to claim 13, wherein the shoe additionally
has an insole, wherein the insole has a flat back side in direction
of the outsole of the shoe and a dome-shaped structure on a front
side, wherein the dome-shaped structure has a base surface a
maximum of 25% of an insole surface; and the dome-shaped structure
is positioned under the cuboid bone of the shoe wearer.
17. The shoe according to claim 16, wherein the dome-shaped
structure is positioned under the medial side of the cuboid bone of
the shoe wearer, the cuboid bone borders the navicular bone on one
side and a calcaneus bone on the other side.
18. The shoe according to claim 17, wherein the dome-shaped
structure has a base surface that is a maximum of 10% of the insole
surface.
19. The shoe according to claim 18, wherein the dome-shaped
structure has a longitudinal to transverse ratio in a range from
1.2:1 to 3:1.
20. The shoe according to claim 19, wherein the dome-shaped
structure has a height in a range from 3 to 20 mm.
21. The shoe according to claim 20, wherein a longitudinal axis of
the dome-shaped structure extends along the medial edge of the
cuboid bone that encloses an angle of from 5.degree. to 35.degree.
with the longitudinal axis of the insole.
22. The shoe according to claim 21, wherein the insole and the
dome-shaped structure both have complementary connection
components, wherein the connection components of the insole are
formed with the connection components of the dome-shaped structure
for the separable connection of insole and dome-shaped structure.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a U.S. national stage of application No.
PCT/EP2010/064674, filed on 1 Oct. 2010. Priority is claimed on
Europe Application No.: 09172159.7 filed 4 Oct. 2009, the content
of which is incorporated here by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to a shoe sole, more
precisely, an outsole for a shoe which aids the user in achieving a
substantially natural gait through the use of the sole according to
the invention. The shoe sole, and equally the shoe having this
sole, are constructed in such a way that the foot is positively
influenced in all phases of walking.
[0004] 2. Detailed Description of the Prior Art
[0005] In terms of biomechanics, a natural gait is virtually
impossible for persons wearing shoes. The natural gait and the use
of shoes are biomechanically incompatible because all shoes
automatically transform a natural gait into an unnatural gait.
[0006] Clinical investigations have shown that the use of
orthopedic inserts or supporting and/or cushioning alternatives
lead to atrophy of the muscular and skeletal systems. It has
likewise been proven that the proportion of atrophy of the muscular
and skeletal systems or the like foot-related incidences and
symptoms in countries where a majority of the inhabitants go
barefoot or do not wear shoes makes up only a fraction of the
proportion determined in countries where the population normally
uses shoes. The difference in proportion in the respective
countries can be traced back to the footwear and to the obvious
defects in shoe design from a medical stand point. The fact that
conventional shoes are not capable of cooperation with the
mechanics of the feet is the most important factor for problems
with feet and gait. Impairment of the natural movement cycle and
biomechanics causes increased stresses which lead to defective
biomechanical cycles, discomfort and injuries.
[0007] An outsole for shoes having a checkered profile with
intersecting straight notches is known in the art, for example,
through GB 2 431 857 A and US 2007/0199211A. The outsole has
increased flexibility along these notches. The drawback to an
outsole of this kind is the fact that the flexibility is provided
in unsuitable places for human walking or running and along
unsuitable flex lines.
[0008] German Utility Model DE 87 04 284 U discloses a simpler
method compared to the above-cited prior art for implementing a
certain flexibility in the outsole of a shoe in which the sole has
apertures filled with polyurethane resin chiefly in the region of
the ball of the foot and in the toe region in the form of
longitudinal slits.
[0009] Pursuant to a preferred embodiment form in EP 1 418 826, an
outsole is known which has an area of increased flexibility, which
area is defined by a medial posterior boundary of not less than 70%
of the length of the foot, a medial anterior boundary of not more
than 80% of the length of the foot, and a lateral anterior boundary
of not more than 70% of the length of the foot. No further verbal
explanations are given as to how the flexibility of the known
outsole is to be achieved, but the drawings show a possible
realization by means of notches extending transversely in straight
lines in the outsole. The drawback to a solution of this kind
consists in the fact that a flexibility achieved in this way cannot
be reconciled with the requirements of the human skeleton.
[0010] The subject matter of US 2007/0011914 A is an athletic shoe
having a laced overshoe on a sole formed beneath the through-going
lacing of the overshoe and which has a checkered profile with
intersecting, slightly curved notches. Since these notches have no
relation to the foot skeleton of the shoe wearer, the disclosure of
this document does not go beyond the disclosures of GB 2 431 857 A
and US 2007/0199211 A which were evaluated above.
[0011] Finally, a shoe somewhat in the shape of a mandrake is known
from the older U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,390. This shoe has separately
formed insertion zones for each individual toe. In a preferred
embodiment form of this approach for constructing a shoe, which was
never seriously pursued in view of its external form, there is a
line of increased flexibility along a connecting curve of the
articulation of all of the toes with the cuneiform bones and
cuboid, respectively. However, this document does not suggest
constructing the outsole with a grid structure of irregularly
formed lines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] An aim of the present invention is to provide the user with
a sole and a shoe having this sole, the respective design,
construction and geometrical characteristics of which improve and
enhance the natural movement of the foot during the movement
cycle.
[0013] To allow a comprehensive appraisal of the present invention,
the closed movement cycle of a walking human will first be
considered analytically. This closed movement cycle involves not
only the foot but also the entire lower extremity. For this
purpose, the foot must contact the ground. When the foot contacts
the ground, each movement of parts of this foot affects all of the
other parts of the corresponding leg.
[0014] The walking movement of each leg is divided into the stance
phase and the swing phase. The stance phase is further
differentiated into three component phases; see FIG. 1 which
illustrates the human gait using the example of the right leg:
[0015] The contact phase, the first component phase of the stance
phase, begins by the foot striking the ground with the outer edge
of the heel. The tibia rotates internally and the inner side of the
foot is raised slightly. In this phase, the foot rolls further
inward until the metatarsus supports the full weight. The tibia
rotates externally and the ankle pronates (rolls inward) by up to
8.degree. so that the foot prepares for the propulsive phase. In
this phase, the gradual lowering of the foot by the muscles
(tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior) is important for
absorbing shocks just as the elbow bends when catching a ball. At
the end of the contact phase, the outer side of the foot contacts
the ground and the phase is concluded when the forefoot is in full
contact with the ground. The forefoot spreads out and becomes
wider. The metatarsal bones gradually contact the ground from the
outside to the inside.
[0016] The spreading out of the metatarsals leads to a stimulation
of the mechanoreceptors (sensory cells that transform mechanical
forces into neural excitation) which in turn, by way of a reflex
mechanism, ensure that other muscles responsible for the stability
of the entire extremity are activated when walking. These include
the front thigh muscles. This reflex or reaction is also known as
the "positive support reaction."
[0017] The primary function of this phase is to absorb shocks when
striking the ground and to adapt to different ground surfaces
(adaptation). The inventor is convinced that shoes which do not
allow any flexibility would make this shock absorption impossible
and would therefore lead in time to foot problems and joint
problems.
[0018] The second component phase of the stance phase, the
midstance phase, begins with the forefoot fully contacting the
ground and ends with the heel lifting off from the ground. Body
weight travels over the foot when the tibia and the rest of the
body move forward. The primary function of the foot in this phase
is to store, with as little loss as possible, the energy gained
during the first component phase and reserve it for the propulsive
phase--comparable to a bouncing rubber ball.
[0019] The third component phase of the stance phase, the
propulsive phase, begins with the lifting of the heel; the muscles,
ligaments and tendons are flexed. The forefoot and hindfoot
together form a springboard by which the toes can lift the weight
of the body (forward) off the ground. The body is propelled forward
during this component phase, the weight being shifted to the other
foot when this other foot makes contact with the ground. This phase
has a duration of approximately 0.2 seconds and takes up 33% of the
entire stance phase. At the start of this third component phase of
the stance phase, the subtalar joint supinates (rolls outward) and
ensures that the center of pressure remains under the outer side of
the forefoot. This in turn ensures that the cuboid bone (4) locks
with the navicular bone (3) (FIG. 3). The foot transforms from
mobile adaptor to rigid lever in order to propel the body forward
during this phase. The locking of the cuboid (4) with respect to
the navicular (3) provides for a very strong support through the
participating ligaments and, in so doing, spares the muscles which
would otherwise be severely tasked, since the vertical forces at
this moment can exceed 125% of the body weight. Towards the end of
the propulsive phase, the cuboid bone (4), which was locked at the
start of the propulsive phase, must be unlocked. A co-contraction
of the fibularis longis (also known as peroneus muscle) and
tibialis anterior takes place, which leads to counter-contractions
and brings about a transverse pulling and supporting effect which
substantially aligns the bones of the midtarsal region. The
supporting effect of the tendons of the peroneus longus muscle
around the cuboid (4) is essential for control of the function of
the transverse arch for stability and adaptability. To reach an end
of the propulsive phase in which the big toe leaves the ground, the
foot must now rotate internally--otherwise known as pronation. If
the cuboid (4) were not released or unlocked, each joint would lose
a small proportion of its movement and, therefore, also a small
proportion of its forces needed for toe-off: this would lead to
inhibition of muscular force, endurance, balance and
proprioception. Moreover, there would be a tendency to lateral
sprains because this structure is basically a raising structure
(supination) and the person could not achieve a functional lowering
(pronation). In such a case, the natural flow of force through the
foot illustrated in FIG. 2 would be interrupted or impaired.
[0020] Midway through the propulsive phase, the foot moves over the
oblique axis (16) of the second to fifth metatarsal bones to the
transverse axis (17) of the big toe; see the illustration in FIG.
4. FIG. 4 illustrates the oblique axis (16), the transverse axis
(17) and the various lengths of the first and second metatarsal
bones. At the same time, reference is made in this connection to
FIG. 3 which shows the bone structure of a human foot and gives the
names of all of the important bones mentioned herein.
[0021] Before the big toe leaves the ground, there occurs a
dorsiflexion of the big toe together with the four small toes of
the same foot and a plantarflexion of the first metatarsal bone (8)
together with the other metatarsal bones of the same foot. The
dorsiflexion of the big toe is known as the windlass effect and is
made possible because of the contraction of the extensor hallicus
longus muscle. With the dorsiflexion of the big toe, the sesamoid
bones move forward and upward around the head of the metatarsus and
thus maximize the tension of the flexor hallicus longus muscle.
[0022] A very significant neutral occurrence during the propulsive
phase is the proprioceptive activation of the toe flexors and toe
extensors. When the stimulus occurs under the outer side of the
foot, the muscles of the toe flexors are activated; conversely when
the stimulus occurs under the inner side of the foot, the muscles
of the toe extensors are activated.
[0023] Since the metatarsal bone (8) of the big toe is shorter than
that of the second toe--see FIG. 3--it is important that the toe
flexors are activated when the sole of the foot is stimulated on
the outer side because otherwise the walking person's entire weight
and the propulsive forces would have to be supported exclusively by
the metatarsal bones.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 shows the right-foot gait and the stance phase
subdivided into its three subphases: the contact phase, midstance
phase and propulsive phase;
[0025] FIG. 2 illustrates the natural flow of force through the
foot in more detail. The flow of force begins slightly to the side
in the heel and then flows forward between the first and second
metatarsal bones and exits the foot through the big toe;
[0026] FIG. 3 is a skeleton of a human foot;
[0027] FIG. 4 is a skeleton of a human foot;
[0028] FIG. 5 is a skeleton of a human foot showing connecting
curves;
[0029] FIG. 6 is a skeleton of a human foot; and
[0030] FIG. 7 is a dome shaped structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] Proceeding from the state of knowledge described in the
preceding paragraphs as interpreted by the inventor also within the
context of the problems in the design of previous shoes and the
soles thereof, the inventor now proposes an outsole for a shoe,
wherein at least a portion of the outsole has a grid structure of
intersecting lines along the course of which the outsole has
increased flexibility, characterized in that the grid structure is
irregularly formed by lines that are determined [0032] on the one
hand at least by the course of the connecting curve (14-2) through
the toe joints [0033] (a) between the distal phalanx (10) and the
proximal phalanx (9) of the big toe and [0034] (b) between the
respective middle phalanx (12) and proximal phalanx (9) of the
second, third, fourth and fifth toes; [0035] and on the other hand
by the course of the respective intermediate spaces between the
five toes (15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4) when the sole according to the
invention is positioned to fit under the wearer's foot.
[0036] Within the meaning of the present invention, all of the
outward components of the shoe that are visible underneath the
shoe, preferably including the shoe elements situated on the same
horizontal plane as the visible components, are considered as the
outsole.
[0037] The inventor proposes a shoe having at least [0038] an upper
part for covering at least a portion of the foot of a shoe wearer;
[0039] a sole connected to the upper part, wherein the sole has an
insole that is suitable for coming into contact with the underside
of the wearer's foot when the shoe is worn, and wherein the sole
has an outsole, wherein at least a portion of the outsole has a
grid structure of intersecting lines along the course of which the
outsole has an increased flexibility, characterized in that the
grid structure is irregularly formed by lines which are determined:
[0040] on the one hand by the course of the connecting curve (14-2)
through the toe joints [0041] (a) between the distal phalanx (10)
and the proximal phalanx (9) of the big toe and [0042] (b) between
the respective middle phalanx (12) and proximal phalanx (9) of the
second, third, fourth and fifth toes [0043] and on the other hand
by the course of the respective intermediate spaces between the
five toes (15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4).
[0044] Within the meaning of the present invention, "shoe"
designates conventional low-cut shoes, athletic shoes, sandals or
boots without being limiting in any way to this list.
[0045] Additionally, the grid structure of the outsole preferably
has at least one additional line selected from the lines that are
determined by: [0046] (a) the course of the connecting curve (14-1)
through the toe joints between the respective distal phalanx (13)
and middle phalanx (12) of the second, third, fourth and fifth
toes, [0047] (b) the course of the connecting curve (14-3) through
the toe joints of the respective proximal phalanx (9) and the
metatarsal bones (8, 11) of the five toes, [0048] (c) the course of
the connecting curve (14-4) of the articulation of the toes with
the cuneiform bones (5, 6, 7) and the cuboid bone (4),
respectively, [0049] (d) the course of the connecting curve (14-5)
in front of the navicular bone (3), [0050] (e) the course of the
connecting curve (14-6) behind the navicular bone (3) to behind the
cuboid bone (4) when the sole according to the invention is
positioned to fit under the wearer's foot.
[0051] FIG. 5 shows the connecting curves (14-1, 14-2, 14-3, 14-4,
14-5 and 14-6) on a human foot along that extend the lines along
the course of which the outsole according to one embodiment of the
invention has lines with increased flexibility.
[0052] The outsole proposed herein that it has an area of increased
flexibility at least below the course of the connecting curve
(14-2) through the toe joints: (a) between the distal phalanx (10)
and the proximal phalanx (9) of the big toe; and (b) between the
respective middle phalanx (12) and proximal phalanx (9) of the
second, third, fourth and fifth toes; it is likewise fundamentally
important that the outsole proposed herein has areas of increased
flexibility in the course of the respective intermediate spaces
between the five toes (15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4). It is definitely
preferred that the proposed outsole has increased flexibility below
each joint of the five toes because the ideas of the inventor to
enable the natural movement of the foot also when wearing shoes is
then realized in the best possible way in the sole and in a shoe
having this sole.
[0053] The increased flexibility of the proposed outsole can be
achieved through a reduced thickness of the sole in that profile
indentations or profile notches are incorporated in the sole along
the lines determined by the connecting curve (14-2) and optionally
in addition through the connecting curves (14-1, 14-3, 14-4, 14-5
and 14-6) and by the course of the respective intermediate spaces
between the five toes (15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4). These profile
indentations or profile notches can be constructed singly but also
as double or triple indentations or notches and, as a result of the
double or triple repetition of indentations or notches, the
flexibility can be further increased and adaptation to different
foot geometries of the user can be improved.
[0054] Increased flexibility can also be achieved by altered sole
material along the above-mentioned lines.
[0055] For visual reasons, it can be important to provide a more
uniform distribution of the transversely extending lines between
[0056] the connecting curve (14-2) through the toe joints (a)
between the distal phalanx (10) and the proximal phalanx (9) of the
big toe and (b) between the respective middle phalanx (12) and
proximal phalanx (9) of the second, third, fourth and fifth toes,
[0057] and the connecting curve (14-4) of the articulation of the
toes with the cuneiform bones (5, 6, 7) and the cuboid bone (4),
respectively, through the outer arch, inner arch and middle arch of
the foot even if, in case of this more uniform distribution of the
lines with increased flexibility, the curves located between the
connecting curves (14-2) and (14-4) would no longer extend exactly
below the respective joints of the five toes. Since an embodiment
of this kind could be of especial interest commercially, this
variant is also regarded as preferred within the meaning of the
invention.
[0058] The shoe proposed herein having the outsole according to the
invention in which at least a portion of the outsole has a grid
structure of intersecting lines along the course of which the
outsole has increased flexibility, which lines are determined
[0059] on the one hand at least by the course of the connecting
curve (14-2) through the toe joints [0060] (a) between the distal
phalanx (10) and the proximal phalanx (9) of the big toe and [0061]
(b) between the respective middle phalanx (12) and proximal phalanx
(9) of the second, third, fourth and fifth toes, [0062] and on the
other hand by the course of the respective intermediate spaces
between the five toes (15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4), additionally has in
a particularly preferred embodiment form an insole which allows
natural walking to a particularly great extent without pain or
fatigue.
[0063] Through the combination of outsole and insole, which is
accordingly proposed as a particularly preferred embodiment form,
the inventor was able to suggest an especially consistent solution
to the problem at hand, namely, to make available to the public a
shoe whose design, construction and geometrical characteristics
improve and enhance the natural movement of the foot during the
movement cycle. Precisely by combining an outsole as proposed
herein with an insole as proposed herein, a shoe is provided
according to the invention which perfectly solves the above-stated
problem of making available to the public a shoe by whose use a
natural gait can be realized as far as possible.
[0064] Accordingly, the especially logical solution to this problem
mentioned above is effected with an insole for a shoe, wherein the
insole has a flat back side in direction of the shoe outsole, which
is also proposed, and a dome-shaped structure (18) on the front
side, and wherein the insole is characterized by the following
features: [0065] the dome-shaped structure (18) has a base surface
of a maximum of 25% of the insole surface, and [0066] the
dome-shaped structure (18) is positioned under the cuboid bone (4)
of the shoe wearer.
[0067] In a preferred embodiment form, the dome-shaped structure
(18), shown in FIG. 7, of the insole claimed within the framework
of the preferred embodiment form is positioned under the medial
side of the cuboid bone (4) of the shoe wearer where the cuboid
bone (4) borders the navicular bone (3) on one side and the
calcaneus bone (2) on the other side. In this connection, reference
is again made, on the one hand, to FIG. 3 which shows the bone
structure of a human foot and names all of the important bones
mentioned herein. On the other hand, reference is made to FIG. 6
which likewise shows the human foot in which all of the bones
essential to the invention are designated and which further shows
the goal of the dome-shaped structure corresponding to the present
invention relating to the shoe in one of the preferred embodiments
thereof.
[0068] The dome-shaped structure (18) of the insole is constructed
so as to be elastic--for example, it is produced from permanently
elastic plastics and/or gel materials, constructional variations of
various hardness being preferred. It was shown in numerous trials
upon which the present document is based that in a preferred
embodiment the base surface of the dome-shaped structure (18) can
even have a proportion of only a maximum of 20%, or even a maximum
of 15%, of the insole surface. In particularly preferred
embodiments, it is even possible to reduce the base surface of the
dome-shaped structure (12) to a surface of 10% or less,
particularly preferably even to a surface in a range from less than
4% to 8%, of the insole surface. In this case, however, the wearer
of a shoe of this kind should intensively practice running or
walking on these proposed insoles with dome-shaped structure (18)
having a particularly drastically reduced base surface because it
could be less comfortable under certain circumstances.
[0069] The dome-shaped structure (18) is generally constructed in
the form of a truncated cone or truncated pyramid which is rounded
on the base side and apex side, wherein the height (21) of the
dome-shaped structure (18) is preferably in a range from 3 to 20
mm. The rounded apex (19) of the truncated cone or truncated
pyramid facing the cuboid bone (4) of the shoe wearer can
accordingly be circular or square. In an embodiment form which is
particularly preferred and which is considered by the inventor to
be the best, the truncated cone or truncated pyramid has a
rectangle or an ellipse at least at its rounded apex (19) facing
the cuboid bone (4) of the shoe wearer, wherein the rectangle or
ellipse has a longitudinal-transverse ratio in a range of 1:1, or
greater than 1:1, to 4:1 and particularly preferably in a range of
1.2:1 to 3:1.
[0070] When the truncated cone or truncated pyramid has a rectangle
or ellipse at its rounded apex (19) facing the cuboid bone (4) of
the shoe wearer with a longitudinal-transverse ratio at least in a
range from 1:1, or greater than 1:1, to 4:1, a longitudinal axis
(22) can be associated with the dome-shaped structure (18) at the
apex (19) thereof. It was shown to be particularly effective in the
trials upon which the present document is based when the
longitudinal axis (22) of the dome-shaped structure (18) extends
along the medial edge of the cuboid bone (4) and particularly and
preferably then encloses an angle (.phi.) of from 5.degree. to
75.degree. with the longitudinal axis of the insole.
[0071] A particularly preferred range for the angle (.phi.) between
the longitudinal axis (16) of the dome-shaped structure (12) and
the longitudinal axis of the insole is from 5.degree. to
50.degree., more preferably from 5.degree. to 35.degree., and most
preferably an angle range (.phi.) from 25.degree. to
35.degree..
[0072] For an illustration of the dome-shaped structure (18) as
truncated cone, reference is made particularly to FIG. 7 which
shows a corresponding truncated cone. The position of the angle
(.phi.) is further illustrated particularly in FIG. 6.
[0073] In a one embodiment of the insole according to the
invention, the insole is inseparably connected to the dome-shaped
structure (18). This can be achieved by the insole and dome-shaped
structure (18) being fabricated separately and subsequently
insolubly glued; this can also be achieved by the insole and
dome-shaped structure (18) being cast integrally from a suitable
plastics material without limiting in any way to these two
possibilities.
[0074] In a one embodiment of the insole according to the
invention, the insole and dome-shaped structure (18) both have
connection components, and the connection components of the insole
are formed with the connection components of the dome-shaped
structure (18) such that insole and dome-shaped structure (18) are
connected to one another so as to be difficult to separate. This
separability is desirable when the possibility of exchanging the
dome-shaped structure (18) while retaining the insole is afforded
as is preferred by the inventor. When exchange of the dome-shaped
structure (18) is possible, the latter can be replaced in a
particularly simple and convenient manner in case of wear or when a
different hardness and/or a different outer shape or dimension is
desired.
[0075] The connection components between insole and dome-shaped
structure (18) are preferably selected from the list comprising:
[0076] hook-and-loop strips, [0077] recessed channels in the insole
and springs engaging in the channels under the base (20) of the
dome-shaped structure (18), and [0078] recessed channels in the
base (20) of the dome-shaped structure (18) and springs engaging in
the channels at the front side of the insole.
[0079] In case recessed channels in the insole are selected as
connection components between insole and dome-shaped structure
(18), a preferred embodiment, these recessed channels in the insole
extend at an angle of 80.degree. to 100.degree. to the longitudinal
axis (22) of the dome-shaped structure (18). Given this choice of
angle at which the recessed channels in the insole and the springs
engaging in the channels in a corresponding manner below the base
(20) of the dome-shaped structure (18) extend virtually at right
angles to the longitudinal axis (22) of the dome-shaped structure
(18), the insole and dome-shaped structure (18) are connected to
one another in a particularly resistant manner so that such an
alignment of channels and springs is particularly suitable for
athletic shoes. In a particularly preferred constructional variant
of the described embodiment form, the channels which are recessed
in the insole extend up to at least an outer edge of the insole so
that the springs below the base (20) of the dome-shaped structure
(18) can be inserted into the recessed channels of the insole
proceeding from the outer edge of the insole.
[0080] In case recessed channels in the base (20) of the
dome-shaped structure (18) are selected as connection components
between insole and dome-shaped structure (18), it is preferable
that these recessed channels extend along the longitudinal axis
(22) of the dome-shaped structure (18). The springs corresponding
to the recessed channels along the longitudinal axis (22) of the
dome-shaped structure (18) are formed on the front side of the
insole. Insofar as the channels are guided into the base (20) of
the dome-shaped structure (18) up to the outer edge of the
dome-shaped structure (18), it is particularly simple and
convenient to insert the channels proceeding from the end of the
springs. Snap-in elements in the channels and associated springs
prevent an unintentional slipping of the dome-shaped structure (18)
relative to the insole on one hand and facilitate an exact
alignment of the dome-shaped structure (18) relative to the insole
on the other hand.
[0081] Insofar as the connection components between the insole and
dome-shaped structure (18) are realized by channels and springs to
be inserted into the channels, it is particularly preferable when
the recessed channels are undercut and the springs are formed so as
to widen outward in a corresponding manner.
[0082] In another preferred embodiment form, the construction of
the dome-shaped structure (12) and the connection thereof to the
insole is realized by a preferably three-part component structure
comprising base (12-1), center piece (12-2) and dome (12-3). In
this case, the base (12-1) which is generally made from an
inelastic, durable plastic or from carbon fibers is positioned
under the insole ideally in the middle of a bottom structure of the
insole which corresponds in an exactly fitting manner to the base
(12-1) and which receives the base (12-1), and the base (12-1)
comprises connection elements for connecting to the center piece
(12-2) by frictional engagement. These connection elements for
connecting base (12-1) and center piece (12-2) by frictional
engagement can be constructed, for example, as matching eyelet/pin
elements having a snap-in function.
[0083] Like the base (12-1), the center piece (12-2) itself is
preferably produced from an inelastic, durable plastic or from
carbon fibers and is positioned above the base (12-1) in the plane
of the insole; to this end, the insole has a continuous hole in the
outer shape of the center piece (12-2). Ideally, the center piece
(12-2) can be inserted by guiding through the hole in the insole in
an exactly fitting manner from above until it is pressed onto the
base (12-1) for connecting to the latter.
[0084] On top, the center piece (12-2) preferably has: [0085]
either at least one recessed channel, in which case the dome (12-3)
has the at least one matching spring engaging in this channel,
[0086] or at least one spring, in which case the dome (12-3) has
the at least one matching channel in which the spring of the center
piece (12-2) can engage. The above-mentioned dome (12-3) is
constructed so as to be elastic and, for example, is produced from
permanently elastic plastic and/or from gel material which may be
covered with a suitable outer material if required.
[0087] In a specific instance of the preferred embodiment form
described above, the base (12-1) and center piece (12-2) can also
be constructed as a cohesive workpiece which is either assembled
before being inserted in an exactly fitting manner through the hole
in the insole, this time from below, from the two individually
fabricated pieces, base (12-1) and center piece (12-2), and
possibly glued, or is fabricated directly in one piece, in which
case this workpiece has a bottom part as base (12-1) and a top part
as center piece (12-2).
[0088] It is considered particularly preferable when the insole, as
an integral component part of the proposed shoe, is glued and/or
sewed to the outsole of a shoe and, as the case may be, also to the
top part of this shoe.
[0089] Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out
fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a
preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various
omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of
the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by
those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the
invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all
combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform
substantially the same function in substantially the same way to
achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention.
Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements
and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any
disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated
in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment
as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention,
therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the
claims appended hereto.
* * * * *