U.S. patent application number 13/996622 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-17 for shoe, in particular a sports shoe, and method for producing a shoe.
This patent application is currently assigned to PUMA SE. The applicant listed for this patent is Reinhold Sussmann. Invention is credited to Reinhold Sussmann.
Application Number | 20130269217 13/996622 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45349455 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130269217 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sussmann; Reinhold |
October 17, 2013 |
SHOE, IN PARTICULAR A SPORTS SHOE, AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A
SHOE
Abstract
The invention relates to a shoe (1), especially a sport shoe,
with a sole (2) and a shoe upper (3) which connected with the sole
(2). To obtain a specific light shoe the invention proposes that
the shoe upper (3) comprises: a texture structure (4) which
consists of texture yarns (5), wherein the texture structure (4) is
formed as a three-dimensional structure which has a plurality upper
locations (6) and a plurality bottom locations (7), and a cover
layer (8), wherein the cover layer (8) is connected (9) at least
with a part of the upper locations (6) of the texture structure
(4). Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for the
production of a shoe.
Inventors: |
Sussmann; Reinhold;
(Scheinfeld, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sussmann; Reinhold |
Scheinfeld |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
PUMA SE
Herzogenaurach
DE
|
Family ID: |
45349455 |
Appl. No.: |
13/996622 |
Filed: |
December 9, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
December 9, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2011/006225 |
371 Date: |
June 21, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/114 ;
12/146C |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 23/0255 20130101;
A43B 23/0235 20130101; A43B 5/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/114 ;
12/146.C |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/00 20060101
A43B005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 23, 2010 |
DE |
10 2010 055 819.2 |
Claims
1. Shoe, especially sport shoe, with a sole and a shoe upper which
connected with the sole, characterized in that the shoe upper
comprises: a texture structure which consists of texture yarns,
wherein the texture structure is formed as a three-dimensional
structure which has a plurality upper locations and a plurality
bottom locations, and a cover layer, wherein the cover layer is
connected at least with a part of the upper locations of the
texture structure.
2. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection
of the cover layer is produced by welding, especially by
high-frequency or ultrasonic welding, of the material of the
texture structure with the material of the cover layer.
3. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the texture
structure comprises a plurality of hill-shaped or hump-shaped
raisings, wherein the upper regions of the hill-shaped or
hump-shaped raisings comprise or form the upper locations.
4. Shoe according to claim 3, characterized in that the hill-shaped
or hump-shaped raisings are arranged in two perpendicular
directions (x, y) and parallel to another.
5. Shoe according to claim 3, characterized in that the hill-shaped
or hump-shaped raising are formed by 7 to 15 texture yarns running
parallel to another, wherein those are preferably interweaved or
hooked into another.
6. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the texture
yarns consist of polyethyleneterephthalate or of polyamide or of
polyester.
7. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover layer
consists of a Thermoplastic elastomere (TPE), particularly of
Thermoplastic elastomere on the basis of urethane (TPU).
8. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that a second cover
layer is arranged, which is connected with the bottom location of
the texture structure.
9. Method for manufacturing of a shoe, especially a sport shoe,
which comprises a sole and a shoe upper which shoe upper is
connected with the sole, characterized in that the manufacturing of
the material of the shoe upper comprises the steps: a) Supply of a
texture structure, wherein the texture structure is fabricated of
texture yarns and wherein the texture structure will be formed as a
three-dimensional structure, which comprises a plurality of upper
locations and a plurality of bottom locations; b) Arranging of a
cover layer on the texture structure, so that at least partially
contact exists between the upper locations and the texture
structure and the cover layer; c) Connecting of at least a part of
the upper locations of the texture structure with the cover layer
by a welding process.
10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the welding
process is a high-frequency welding process or an ultrasonic sound
welding process.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a 371 of PCT/EP2011/006225 filed Dec. 9,
2011, which in turn claims the priority of DE 10 2010 055 819.2
filed Dec. 23, 2010, the priority of both applications is hereby
claimed and both applications are incorporated by reference
herein.
[0002] The invention relates to a shoe, especially to a sport shoe,
with a sole and a shoe upper which is connected with the sole.
[0003] Shoes of this usual kind need to be especially light for
certain application cases. This applies particularly for a sport
shoe. Correspondent applies as well mainly for a soccer shoe, on
which high requirements are demanded on the solidity and rigidity
to guarantee the functionality of the shoe, as well as to the
weight, which should be regularly as low as possible.
[0004] Therefore, multifaceted concepts have been established by
which it is tried, to reduce the weight of the shoe as much as
possible by maintenance of a sufficient rigidity.
[0005] Also it is an object of the invention, to develop a shoe,
especially a sport shoe, of the kind mentioned above, in such a
way, that it comprises in fact a sufficient rigidity on the one
hand and thus guarantees the required functionality, that it also
has a special light composition on the other hand.
[0006] The solution of this object by the invention is
characterized in that the shoe upper comprises: [0007] a texture
structure which consists of texture yarns, wherein the texture
structure is formed as a three-dimensional structure which has a
plurality upper locations and a plurality bottom locations, and
[0008] a cover layer, wherein the cover layer is connected at least
with a part of the upper locations of the texture structure.
[0009] The connection of the cover layer is preferably produced by
welding, especially by high-frequency or ultrasonic welding, of the
material of the texture structure with the material of the cover
layer.
[0010] The texture structure comprises preferably a plurality of
hill-shaped or hump-shaped raisings, wherein the upper regions of
the hill-shaped or hump-shaped raisings comprise or form the upper
locations. The hill-shaped or hump-shaped raisings can be arranged
in two perpendicular directions and parallel to another. They can
be formed by 7 to 15 texture yarns running parallel to another,
wherein those are preferably interweaved or hooked into
another.
[0011] The texture yarns consist preferably of
polyethyleneterephthalate or of polyamide or of polyester. The
cover layer consists however preferably of a Thermoplastic
elastomere (TPE), particularly of Thermoplastic elastomere on the
basis of urethane (TPU).
[0012] According to a further development a second cover layer is
arranged, which is connected with the bottom location of the
texture structure.
[0013] The proposed method for the manufacturing of the material
for the shoe upper is characterized by the steps: [0014] a) Supply
of a texture structure, wherein the texture structure is fabricated
of texture yarns and wherein the texture structure will be formed
as a three-dimensional structure, which comprises a plurality of
upper locations and a plurality of bottom locations; [0015] b)
Arranging of a cover layer on the texture structure, so that at
least partially contact exists between the upper locations and the
texture structure and the cover layer; [0016] c) Connecting of at
least a part of the upper locations of the texture structure with
the cover layer by a welding process.
[0017] The welding process is preferably a high-frequency welding
process or an ultrasonic sound welding process.
[0018] The suggested sole comprises: [0019] at least a base body in
accordance with form of the sole, wherein the at least one base
body comprises a plurality of reinforcing fiber, which are
integrated into a plastic or resin matrix and [0020] a plurality of
outer sole elements (for example also cleats), wherein the outer
sole elements are fixed material-bonded at the base body.
[0021] The material-bonded connection between the base body and the
outer sole elements is preferably established by vulcanization.
[0022] The outer sole elements consist preferably of rubber
material.
[0023] The base body can comprise recesses for the outer sole
elements, wherein the recesses correspond to the form of the outer
sole elements.
[0024] The reinforcing fibers are preferably carbon fibers. They
can be embedded into an epoxy resin matrix.
[0025] The reinforcing fibers can be thereby at least partly
interwoven with each other.
[0026] The shoe is preferably free of a midsole. However, it is
preferably provided, that above the base body an inner sole is
arranged, wherein this inner sole is especially preferred to be
glued in.
[0027] The method of manufacturing for the sole is characterized in
the following steps: [0028] a) Manufacturing of a base body which
corresponds to the form of the sole, wherein the base body is built
with a plurality of reinforcing fiber, which reinforcing fiber are
integrated into a plastic or resin. matrix; [0029] b) Arranging of
a plurality of outer sole elements at the base body; [0030] c)
Manufacturing of a material-bonded connection between the base body
and the outer sole elements by performance of a vulcanization
process.
[0031] The suggested conception intercepts thus at the
manufacturing of the leg material for the shoe upper on a three
dimensional formed texture structure, preferably with a plurality
of humps. On this structure a plane length (foil) will be laid on,
preferably of TPU. Using a heat-producing element (e.g. high
frequency electrode or ultrasonic sound electrode) the foil will be
welded with the hump tops. Accordingly, the foil will be connected
punctually with the texture structure.
[0032] This composite will be used as an upper material for sport
shoes, particularly for soccer shoes.
[0033] The advantage is a very good ventilation of the shoe,
because the three-dimensional formed texture structure is very good
air guiding, because it creates a canal structure for this purpose.
The material doesn't absorb any water. It is very light, therefore
also the shoe is "super light", which shoe is manufactured from
this upper material. Reinforcing materials in the upper material
are redundant.
[0034] Concerning the suggested sole structure it applies, that the
sole structure can also be applied for soccer shoes in a special
advantageous way, because the sole base plate has a high
rigidity--particularly formed as carbon fiber plate. The preformed
rubber elements, which function as outer sole, have a strong
connection with the base plate because they are vulcanized.
[0035] The preformed rubber elements are inserted into a
vulcanization form at the manufacturing of the sole, as well as the
base plate. After that the connecting process occurs by
vulcanization.
[0036] The base plate is preferably a plate, which comprises
interweaved carbon fibers, which carbon fibers are integrated into
a resin matrix (e.g. into an epoxy resin).
[0037] At a soccer shoe the manufactured sole, which is
manufactured in such a way, can be used without a midsole. It comes
to a beneficial distribution of pressure due to the high rigidity
of the base plate. The construction is very light. This enables
again a "super light" shoe.
[0038] It is especially advantageous, when the suggested upper
material of the shoe upper and the suggested sole are combined.
Then the result is a special light shoe with high rigidity.
[0039] Insofar as the structure with the raised and low lying
positions (hill- and hump-shaped structure) will be applied for the
texture structure, it is in no case compelling, that all raisings
(hills and humps respectively) comprise the same height. The height
of one or more raisings (hills and humps respectively) can be
rather adjusted on the concrete requirements. Thus it can be that
by conditional function a larger height of one or more raisings
(hills and humps respectively) is advantageous on specific
positions.
[0040] This adjustment of the raisings does not only apply for the
height but also for the position of the raisings. Thus, it can be
advantageous to define the position of the raisings in the plane in
such a manner that the emerging shoe upper material comprises a
desired function, i.e. a certain regular arrangement is not
compelling for example in two directions being perpendicular to
another.
[0041] Another possible embodiment provides that the raisings
(hills and humps respectively) are arranged side by side in such a
way, that a certain path occurs between them, which path can be
used for example as a channel for a function element, e.g. for a
lacing and for a ribbon respectively.
[0042] In the drawing an embodiment of the invention is
illustrated. It shows:
[0043] FIG. 1 a shoe in the lateral view,
[0044] FIG. 2 a perspective view of a texture structure, which is a
component of the material of the shoe upper,
[0045] FIG. 3 the depiction of the composition of the texture
structure according to FIG. 2,
[0046] FIG. 4 a sectional view through the material of the shoe
upper according to the section A-B according to FIG. 2,
[0047] FIG. 5 a schematic exploded view of the sole of the
suggested shoe, which shows the components of the sole,
[0048] FIG. 6 schematically the enhancement "Z" according to FIG.
5, which shows the composition of a base plate of the sole of the
shoe,
[0049] FIG. 7 the top view of the bottom side of a sole according
to an alternative embodiment of the invention, wherein the sole is
performed here with an number of cleat elements as outer sole
elements,
[0050] FIG. 8 the section C-D according to FIG. 7 and
[0051] FIG. 9 the section E-F according to FIG. 7.
[0052] In FIG. 1 a shoe is shown, which comprises in a known way a
sole 2, on which sole a shoe upper 3 is arranged. For the
connection of the sole 2 with the shoe upper 3 there are multiple
pre-known possibilities, on which possibilities it is not necessary
to respond to here.
[0053] The material of the shoe upper 3, i.e. the leg material, is
built in a special way. This results from FIG. 2 to FIG. 4.
[0054] The base structure of the upper material is a texture
structure 4, as it is shown in FIG. 2. Here, only a small section
of the texture structure 4 is visible, that is to say a section,
which comprises one single hill-shaped or hump-shaped raising
10.
[0055] The depicted texture structure 4 is composed by texture
yarns 5, which texture yarns are interweaved and hooked
respectively into each other. In FIG. 3 a preferred linkage of the
texture yarns 5 is shown. You can say, that the texture yarns 5
extend substantially in two directions, which directions x and y
are perpendicular to another. In doing so the texture yarns 5
however don't compose a flat structure but a three-dimensional
form, as it is to see in FIG. 2.
[0056] As it results of FIG. 3, the texture yarns 5 are hooked into
each other by a weaving process in such a way, that a grid-formed
surface occur. The grid dimension b (s. FIG. 2) lies typically in
the area of 0.5 to 2 mm.
[0057] The raisings 10 which are shown in FIG. 2 are arranged
parallel to each other in a plurality, i.e. parallel to each other
into the direction x and into the direction y. The size of the
structure for the described example case is specified through a
grate dimension a, wherein a lies typically in the area. between 5
to 20 mm, preferably at 8 to 12 mm. A texture yarn is preferably
applied, whose diameter lies in the area between 0.03 to 0.1
mm.
[0058] Through the three-dimensional embodiment of the texture
structure 4 it occurs an upper location 6 as well as bottom
locations 7 per raising, as it is visible in the synopsis of the
FIGS. 2 and 3. The upper material now will be composed thereby,
that a cover layer 8 will be put on the upper side of the texture
structure 4, which cover layer consists of a thin, flat layer in
the embodiment.
[0059] Accordingly, the cover layer 8 contacts the texture
structure 4 only punctual, i.e. the cover layer 8 butts only
against the upper location 6 of the texture structure 4. It is
schematically shown in FIG. 4, that henceforth an entry of welding
energy 17 occurs after the placement of the cover layer 8, e.g. by
an ultrasonic sound welding device or by a high-frequency welding
device, so that it comes to a fusing of the material of the texture
structure 4 and the material of the cover layer 8. This is
indicated in FIG. 4 by the connection 9 in form of a welding
spot.
[0060] In an analog way it can be preceded on the bottom side of
the texture structure. A second cover layer 11 can be applied--as
it is to see in FIG. 4--, which second cover layer can be fixed by
welding spots in the same way.
[0061] Hereby it is a result of a very stable and still very light
material structure for the use as leg material for the shoe
upper.
[0062] In FIG. 5 it can be seen, how the suggested appropriated
sole 2 of the shoe 1 is conceived of. The sole 2 consists of a base
body 12, whose composition results schematically out of FIG. 6.
Accordingly, reinforcement fibers 13, particularly carbon fibers,
are interweaved with another, integrated into a plastic matrix or
resin matrix 14, which consist preferably of epoxy resin. Thus, a
very strong and elastic structure for the base body 12 results.
[0063] Already at the forming of the base body 12, when indicated
also later by mechanical machining, recesses 16 will be brought
into the base body 12, from which base body the bottom side is
visible in FIG. 5. The form of the recesses 16 corresponds to the
form of outer sole elements 15 of rubber material, which form the
outer sole of the shoe 1 in their entirety.
[0064] The outer sole elements 15 will be inserted into the
recesses 16 after the manufacturing of the base body 12; the depth
of the recesses 16 is therefore smaller than the height of the
outer sole elements 15, so that the outer sole elements 15 protrude
towards down after the insertion into the recesses 16 and can
therefore realize their function as outer sole.
[0065] A firm connection between the base body 12 and the outer
sole elements 15 will be reached by a vulcanization process, which
process will be accomplished in an accordant vulcanization form
after the placement of the outer sole elements 15 in the base body
12.
[0066] In the FIGS. 7 to 9 an alternative embodiment of a sole 2
according to the invention can be seen.
[0067] In general it also applies here, that the sole consists of a
base body 12, on which base body outer sole elements 15 are fixed.
The outer sole elements 15 are formed here however as cleats 15',
which cleats are fixed on the base body 12. The sectional view
according to FIG. 8 (section C-D according to FIG. 7) shows,
that--as already demonstrated before--the material of the outer
sole element in form of the cleat 15' is directly injected
respectively vulcanized on the base body 12 of the sole. As can be
seen in FIG. 8, the base body 12 has been deformed a little bit out
of the flat form in the area of the reception of the cleat 15' in
accordant to the negative form, so that the form of the base body
12 occurs, as it is demonstrated in FIG. 8. The material of the
cleat 15' is injected and vulcanized respectively on the formed
raising. There is no mechanical connection. existing between base
body 12 and cleat 15'. Particularly, the base body 12 exhibits no
recess in the area of the reception of the cleat 15'. Accordingly,
a continuous layer of the fiber-reinforced material of the base
body 12 exists.
[0068] Another specific design of the embodiment according to FIG.
7 is, that the base body 12 is formed here not as one single
continuous plate, but consists of two parts 12' and 12''. Both
parts 12', 12'' can be inserted in a positioned manner into a tool
during the production; then, rubber material will be put across in
such a way, that the parts 12', 12'' of the base body will be
connected by the rubber material. In FIG. 7 a rubber ridge 20 is
visible, by which the parts 12' and 12'' are connected with each
other elastically. In doing so a flexible, hinge-like connection
can be established between the parts 12', 12'', which connection
serves as flex zone and a flex groove respectively between the
parts 12', 12''. Thus, the rubber material serves as a functional
element in the area of the rubber ridge 20, which intercepts the
structure of the base body 12 and which makes the fiber-reinforced
plates flexible to each other in a defined way.
[0069] As can be seen from the section E-F according to FIG. 9, the
rubber material contacts the parts 12', 12'' at one side as a
rubber layer. In the edge area the rubber material can be conducted
as circumferential edge 19 (circumferential rubber lip).
[0070] An alternative method of production intercepts on that, that
the material of the base body 12 will be inserted into a tool in a
condition of not finally solidified state, to inject the material
of the outer sole element, but rather that the material of the base
body 12 (particularly the carbon fiber material) will be brought
into the tool, just as the pre-fabricated outer sole elements and
cleats 15, 15' respectively.
[0071] Then, during the vulcanization process the material of the
base body 12 will be brought in its final usable condition, at the
same time the rubber material will be connected with the material
of the base body 12.
LIST OF REFERENCES
[0072] 1 Shoe [0073] 2 Sole [0074] 3 Shoe upper [0075] 4 Texture
structure [0076] 5 Texture yarn [0077] 6 Upper location [0078] 7
Bottom location [0079] 8 Cover layer [0080] 9 Connection (welding)
[0081] 10 Hill-shaped or hump-shaped raising [0082] 11 Second cover
layer [0083] 12 Base body [0084] 12' First part of the base body
[0085] 12'' Second part of the base body [0086] 13 Reinforcement
fiber [0087] 14 Plastic matrix/resin matrix [0088] 15 Outer sole
element [0089] 15' Cleat [0090] 16 Recess [0091] 17 Entry of
welding energy [0092] 18 Rubber layer [0093] 19 Circumferential
edge. [0094] 20 Rubber ridge [0095] x Direction [0096] y Direction
[0097] a Grate dimension [0098] b Grid dimension
* * * * *