U.S. patent application number 13/496513 was filed with the patent office on 2012-10-18 for hollow sole for footwear and manufacturing method therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to DESARROLLO INTEGRAL DEL MOLDE, S.L.. Invention is credited to Jose Maria Izquieta Anaut.
Application Number | 20120260524 13/496513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46050425 |
Filed Date | 2012-10-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120260524 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Izquieta Anaut; Jose Maria |
October 18, 2012 |
HOLLOW SOLE FOR FOOTWEAR AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREFOR
Abstract
Footwear sole comprising a top half with hollow vertical
configurations and a bottom half, wherein said configurations are
filled to at least half of their volume with a shock-absorbing
plastic material to absorb as great a range of possible loads with
a simple and easily adjustable configuration.
Inventors: |
Izquieta Anaut; Jose Maria;
(Pamplona, ES) |
Assignee: |
DESARROLLO INTEGRAL DEL MOLDE,
S.L.
Pamplona, Navarra
ES
|
Family ID: |
46050425 |
Appl. No.: |
13/496513 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
November 8, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/ES10/70722 |
371 Date: |
March 16, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/28 ;
12/146B |
Current CPC
Class: |
B29D 35/142 20130101;
A43B 13/181 20130101; A43B 7/08 20130101; A43B 13/187 20130101;
A43B 13/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/28 ;
12/146.B |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/18 20060101
A43B013/18; A43D 8/00 20060101 A43D008/00 |
Claims
1. Hollow sole for footwear that comprises a bottom half (1) and a
top half (2), the top half (2) in turn comprising a sheet (2.1) and
hollow vertical configurations (2.2) that define internal pockets
(2.3), the hollow base being integrated in said sheet (2.1), said
hollow vertical configurations (2.2)being oriented towards the
inside of the sole, the bottom half (1) being disposed such that it
contacts the surfaces of the hollow vertical configurations (2.2)
that face the inside of the sole, characterised in that the
internal pockets (2.3) of the hollow vertical configurations (2.2)
of the top half (2) are half-filled by a shock-absorbing plastic
material (3).
2. Hollow sole for footwear according to claim 1, characterised in
that the bottom half (1) comprises a sheet (1.1) and hollow
vertical configurations (1.2), which form internal pockets (1.3),
the base being integrated in said sheet (1.1) so that said hollow
vertical configurations (1.2) face the inside of the sole such that
they contact the surfaces of the hollow configurations (1.2,2.2)
facing the inside of the sole in each of the halves (1,2).
3. Hollow sole for footwear according to claim 1 or 2,
characterised in that the hollow vertical configurations (1.2,2.2)
are truncated pyramids, truncated cones, cylinders or prisms.
4. Hollow sole for footwear according to claim 1 or 2,
characterised in that the hollow vertical configurations (2.2) of
the top half (2) are filled up to the top surface of the top half
(2).
5. Hollow sole for footwear according to claim 1 or 2,
characterised in that the hollow vertical configurations (2.2) of
the top half (2) are filled beyond the upper surface of the top
half (2), so that a sheet (3.1) is created above the top half (2)
made of the shock-absorbing plastic material (3).
6. Hollow sole for footwear according to claim 1 or 2,
characterised in that the hollow vertical configurations (2.2) of
the top half (2) are filled such that a gas chamber (4) is left
between the front of the shock-absorbing material (3) and the free
surface (2.2.1) of the hollow vertical configurations (2.2).
7. Hollow sole for footwear according to the above claims,
characterised in that the shock-absorbing plastic material (3) is
polyurethane.
8. Hollow sole for footwear according to claim 1 or 2,
characterised in that the sheet (2.1) of the top half (2) includes
through orifices (2.4).
9. Hollow sole for footwear according to claim 8, characterised in
that the sheet (3.1) above the top half (2) of the shock-absorbing
plastic material (3), this half (2) has through orifices (3.2) that
coincide with the through orifices (2.4) of the sheet (2.1) of the
top half (2).
10. Manufacturing method for a footwear sole according to the above
claims, characterised in that it comprises the following stages:
moulding the top half (2), moulding the bottom half (1), joining
the two halves (1,2), introducing the shock-absorbing material (3)
to the top half (2) by injection or casting.
11. Manufacturing method for a footwear sole according to claim 10,
characterised in that before introducing the shock-absorbing
material (3) in the top half (2) the shoe cut is placed flush on
the top half (2).
12. Manufacturing method for a footwear sole according to claim 10,
characterised in that before introducing the shock-absorbing
material (3) in the top half (2), a countermould is placed to leave
a space between the top half (2) and said countermould so that the
shock-absorbing material (3) forms approximately a sheet (3.1) on
the top half (2) of the sole.
13. Manufacturing method for a footwear sole according to claim 10,
characterised in that the shock-absorbing plastic material (3) is
polyurethane.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention lies in the field of hollow soles for
footwear.
[0002] This invention is a hollow sole for footwear that combines
several cushioning methods meant to absorb the greatest range of
possible loads with a simple and easily adjustable
configuration.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Hollow soles for footwear are known formed by two parts
joined to each other to configure a hollow part between them that
is filled with air, as shown by the same applicant in Spanish
Utility Model with application number 201030592.
[0004] This type of sole is convenient for different uses due to
its shock-absorbing qualities, which are inherent to the
configuration of the sole, which results in a specific mechanical
behaviour. For this reason, modifications in the shock-absorbing
properties are meant to modify the configurations that are
compressed, normally truncated pyramids or prisms, as well as
modifying the type of material used to manufacture the sole, which
will provide the restoration from the compression.
[0005] Other known types of sole use solid configurations of
different plastic components, combining different hardness and
elastic properties. In this case, however, the soles tend to have
poor lateral support, as it is the structure of the plastic
material that must withstand the lateral load, so that it is not
uncommon to see feet with excessive pronation or supination.
[0006] In both hollow and solid soles, once a problem is known and
the corresponding adjustment is decided, it is complicated and
expensive to carry it out, as it involves acting on a single
factor, either the configuration or the material, which has a
working range that may be inadequate for solving the problem.
[0007] Thus, configurations made of rubber in hollow soles of
geometric type, such as truncated cones and others, are suitable
for absorbing high impact forces, such as the first contact of the
heel with the ground. However, plastic foams in solid soles are
suitable for medium and small impacts, such as during foot roll and
toe lift.
[0008] For this reason, no soles are known that combine in an
optimum manner several cushioning methods to cover a wide range of
loads and that are easily adjustable while designing the sole. That
is, on one hand a structure made of a strong material, normally
rubber, that supports greater loads and provides the support
pillars for said structure, and on the other components that
support smaller loads and that generally provide a sensation of
comfort to the user.
[0009] The present invention discloses a sole that combines several
cushioning methods meant to solve the drawbacks of the state of the
art and absorb the greatest range of possible loads with a simple
and easily adjustable configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is established and characterised in
the independent claims, while the dependent claims describe
additional characteristics thereof.
[0011] In view of the foregoing, the present invention relates to a
hollow sole for footwear that comprises a bottom half and a top
half, the top half in turn comprising a sheet and hollow vertical
configurations that define internal pockets, with the hollow base
integrated in said sheet, and said hollow vertical configurations
being oriented towards the inside of the sole, the bottom half
being disposed such that it contacts the surfaces of the hollow
vertical configurations that face the inside of the sole, wherein
the internal pockets of the hollow vertical configurations of the
top half are at least half-filled by a shock-absorbing plastic
material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] This specification is supplemented with a set of drawings
illustrating the preferred embodiment, which are never intended to
limit the invention.
[0013] FIG. 1 represents a cross section of an embodiment in which
the shock-absorbing material reaches beyond the top part of the top
half.
[0014] FIG. 2 represents a cross section of the same embodiment in
which the shock-absorbing material does not reach beyond the top
part of the top half.
[0015] FIG. 3 represents a cross section of another embodiment in
which the shock-absorbing material reaches beyond the top part of
the top half.
[0016] FIG. 4 represents a cross section of the same embodiment in
which the shock-absorbing material does not reach beyond the top
part of the top half.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE
INVENTION
[0017] An embodiment of the invention is described in what follows
wherein the sole comprises a bottom half (1) and a top half (2), in
the form of two shells or one shell and a lid, such that air is
trapped inside it, between the two halves (1,2), which air can be
at atmospheric pressure or at a greater pressure in order to
cushion shocks when striking the ground. To ensure that the
pressure is maintained, in the top half (2) normally an orifice is
made (not shown) that is either sealed or is provided with a
flow-control valve, of those known, to the internal pocket defined
between the two halves (1,2).
[0018] The top half (2) in turn comprises a sheet (2.1) and hollow
vertical configurations (2.2) that form internal pockets (2.3),
with the base being integrated in said sheet (2.1), said hollow
vertical configurations (2.2) being oriented towards the inside of
the sole. This is, the hollow configurations (2.2) are integrated
in the sheet (2.1) to form a single continuous surface.
[0019] In one embodiment, the other half (1) is disposed such that
it contacts the surface of the hollow vertical configurations (2.2)
that is facing the inside of the sole. In this way, the bottom half
(1) acts as a cover and as the part of the sole that contacts the
ground.
[0020] The above configuration provides cushioning due to the
elasticity of the sole material, normally rubber, together with the
mechanical characteristics of the hollow vertical configurations
(2.2), which are normally truncated cones, cylinders or prisms.
There is a second cushioning provided by the compression of air
caused by each step, whether or not the air is at a pressure above
atmospheric pressure, as in the step the internal volume of the
sole is always reduced by the compression of the material that
allows the hollow vertical configurations (2.2) to compress and
later recover their original shape.
[0021] These two cushioning forms are those known in hollow soles;
in this embodiment, a third form is added by filling the internal
pockets (2.3) of the hollow configurations of the top half to at
least half of their volume, or even completely, with a
shock-absorbing plastic material (3). In this way, in the step the
elastic characteristics of the footwear sole material are combined
with hollow vertical configurations (2.2) filled with a specific
material appropriate for the mechanical loads of the step, so that
the impact is absorbed better and the recovery is optimised, as
well as providing a feeling of comfort and safety to the user.
[0022] In a variant of the above-described embodiment the two
halves (1,2) are similar, that is, the bottom half (1) comprises a
sheet (1.1) and hollow vertical configurations (1.2), which form
internal pockets (1.3), the base being integrated in said sheet
(1.1) so that said hollow vertical configurations (1.2) are facing
the inside of the sole, such that they contact the surfaces of the
hollow configurations (1.2,2.2) facing the inside of the sole in
each of the halves (1,2).
[0023] In this case it may be convenient to add an additional sheet
(5) acting as a sole in contact with the ground.
[0024] In this variant, the hollow vertical configurations (1.2,
2.2) are duplicated and act jointly, with the two halves (1,2)
opposite each other, resulting in a greater cushioning, in other
words, adjusting to a different cushioning scale, as the fine
adjustment of the cushioning in any of the embodiments shown is
performed by combining all the variables involved: material of the
halves, air compression between the halves, geometry of the hollow
vertical configurations (1.2, 2.2) and filler material (3)
therefor.
[0025] As stated above, the hollow vertical configurations
(1.2,2.2) are preferably truncated pyramids, truncated cones,
cylinders or prisms.
[0026] An advantageous manner of filling the hollow vertical
configurations (2.2) of the top half (2) is filling them to the top
surface of the latter. In this way, the shoe cut closes directly on
the top half (2) of the sole.
[0027] Another advantageous manner of filling the hollow
configurations (2.2) of the top half (2) is until passing the upper
surface of the top half (2), so that a sheet (3.1) is created above
the top half made of the shock-absorbing plastic material (3). The
shoe cut will then be placed on top of this sheet (3.1).
[0028] Both advantageous variants can include through orifices
(2.4, 3.2) that place the hollow inside of the sole with the cut,
and thus with the user's foot, directly in contact with the air
chamber between the two halves (1,2). In this way the foot will be
cooled better in warm weather. It is clear that as the air chamber
is communicated with the outside, the air in it can never be at a
pressure greater than atmospheric pressure.
[0029] Specifically, in the embodiment with the sheet (3.1) above
the top half (2) of the shock-absorbing plastic material (3), this
half (2) has through orifices (2.4) that coincide with the through
orifices (3.2) of the sheet (3.1) of the top half (2).
[0030] In addition to the three aforementioned cushioning methods,
a fourth one can be added that consists in using the gas generated
when setting the materials so that in the hollow configurations of
the (2.2) of the top half, a gas chamber (4) is defined between the
front of the shock-absorbing material (3) and the free surface
(2.2.1), by which is meant the surface that is not the base
integrated in the sheet (2.1) that is facing the inside of the
sole, of the hollow configurations (2.2).
[0031] Preferably, the shock-absorbing plastic material (3) used is
polyurethane.
[0032] The manufacturing method for a footwear sole as described
above always includes the following stages: [0033] moulding the top
half (2), [0034] moulding the bottom half (1), [0035] joining the
two halves (1,2), [0036] introducing the shock-absorbing material
(3) to the top half (2) by injection or casting.
[0037] When the sole is of the type in which the shock-absorbing
material (3) does not extend beyond the top surface of the top half
(2), before introducing the shock-absorbing material (3) in the top
half (2) the shoe cut is placed flush against the top half (2), so
that this cut acts as a countermould.
[0038] Instead, when the shoe cut is not placed because the
shock-absorbing material (3) extends beyond the top surface of the
top half (2), before introducing the shock-absorbing material (3)
in the top half (2) it will be necessary to place a countermould in
order to leave a space between the top half (2) and said
countermould, so that the shock-absorbing material (3)
approximately forms a sheet (3.1) above the top half (2) of the
sole.
* * * * *