U.S. patent application number 14/015642 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-06 for footwear outsole.
The applicant listed for this patent is Bergans Fritid AS. Invention is credited to Khader Sayed.
Application Number | 20140059897 14/015642 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50098522 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140059897 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sayed; Khader |
March 6, 2014 |
FOOTWEAR OUTSOLE
Abstract
An outsole (2) for footwear (1) comprises at least one
protrusion (4) having a portion (8) configured for supporting the
footwear against a ground surface (S). A traction-enhancing element
(6) is connected to the protrusion (4) and selectively insertable
between said portion (8) and the ground surface (S). The
traction-enhancing element is attached to at least a portion of the
protrusion and configured for bending between a first position and
a second position; wherein the traction-enhancing element in the
second position is between said portion and the ground surface. The
movement of the traction-enhancing element between the first
position and the second position is effected by a movement of the
footwear predominantly along the ground surface.
Inventors: |
Sayed; Khader; (Hauge I
Dalane, NO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Bergans Fritid AS |
Hokksun |
|
NO |
|
|
Family ID: |
50098522 |
Appl. No.: |
14/015642 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/59R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 15/02 20130101;
A43B 13/223 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/59.R |
International
Class: |
A43C 15/02 20060101
A43C015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 3, 2012 |
NO |
20120984 |
Claims
1. An outsole for footwear, comprising at least one protrusion
extending from the outsole and having a portion configured for
supporting the footwear against a ground surface, wherein a
traction-enhancing element connected to the protrusion and
selectively insertable between said portion and the ground surface
when the portion is at least partially supported by the ground
surface.
2. The outsole of claim 1, wherein the traction-enhancing element
is attached to at least a portion of the protrusion and configured
for bending between a first position and a second position; wherein
the traction-enhancing element in the second position is between
said portion and the ground surface.
3. The outsole of claim 2, wherein the movement of the
traction-enhancing element between the first position and the
second position is effected by a movement of the footwear
predominantly along the ground surface.
4. The outsole of claim 1, wherein the traction-enhancing element
is connected to the protrusion via an elastic connection, said
connection being configured such that the traction-enhancing
element returns to the first position when it is not subjected to
external loads, the first position representing a state of
equilibrium for the traction-enhancing device.
5. The outsole of claim 2, wherein the traction-enhancing element
comprises a first side and a second side, configured such that the
first side is generally not in contact with the ground surface when
the traction-enhancing element is in the first position, but is at
least partially in contact with the ground surface when the
traction-enhancing element is in the second position.
6. The outsole of claim 5, wherein the first side comprises a
friction-enhancing material.
7. The outsole of claim 5, wherein the second side is generally
flush with said portion when the traction-enhancing element is in
the first position.
8. The outsole of claim 1, wherein the traction-enhancing element
comprises a lip made of an elastic material.
9. The outsole of claim 8, wherein the material of the protrusion
and the material of the lip are similar materials.
10. The outsole of any one of claim 1, wherein said portion
comprises a recessed portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Norwegian patent
application No. 20120984, filed on Sep. 3, 2012, the disclosure of
which including the specification, the drawings, and the claims is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to traction surfaces. More
specifically, the invention concerns a device for controlling the
traction of a footwear outsole.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] There are numerous examples of means and methods of
improving the traction of footwear, in order to reduce the hazards
associated with walking on sloping and/or slippery surfaces.
[0004] The state of the art includes U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,331 A,
describing a shoe having an outsole with a gripping surface. The
gripping surface is applied to the outsole in separated, discrete
bands within channels in the outsole and comprises a mixture of
grit, such as silicon carbide, and an adhesive. The gripping
surface is intended to prevent or curtail slipping by the wearer on
smooth surfaces, such as ice or snow.
[0005] The state of the art also includes US 2011/0192054 A1,
describing a boot having an outsole with embedded traction
enhancing studs. Each stud is partially embedded in the carrier
portion of the outsole and projects from the carrier portion.
[0006] The state of the art also includes CA 2 535 426 A1,
describing an antiskid attachment for footwear. The attachment
comprises of a multitude of skid-resisting elements positioned
between the shoe outsole and the surface, and flexible linkage used
to ensure appropriate positioning of the elements when walking and
running.
[0007] The state of the art also includes WO 2011/028114 A1,
describing a sports shoe having an outsole provided with a grip
enhancing structure and a detector arranged for detecting movement
of the shoe. The grip enhancing structure is moveable between an
increased gripping state and a decreased gripping state, in that a
processor is arranged to move the grip enhancing structure between
these states based on detected movements.
[0008] The state of the art also includes US 2012/0066938, which
describes shoe outsoles with removable and replaceable gripping
pods for athletic or sport shoes. The gripping pods hold a supply
of a substance that exhibits tackiness for enhancing friction
between the outsole and the any hard floor. The tackiness-enhancing
substance may be time-released or discharged from within the shoe
sole onto the lower surface(s) of the outsole that make(s) contact
with the smooth hard playing surface or may be in response to
compression or shear forces acting on the sole during play to
prolong the tacky properties and reduce slippage.
[0009] The state of the art also includes GB 2113072 A, describing
a flexible sole for use with hiking, running, or walking shoes
comprising flexible protrusions extending from a support portion in
a direction inclined toward the rear of the shoe. As the shoe is
pressed against the ground under the weight of the user, the
inclined protrusions flex elastically. As the protrusions flex
along their length, the bottom surface of each protrusion in
contact with the ground remains fixed relative to the ground due to
frictional forces. The protrusions flex by forming a smaller angle
with the bottom surface of the support portion. The result is that
the support portion of the sole and the shoe attached to the sole
move forward an additional distance relative to the point of
contact between the protrusions and the ground.
[0010] The state of the art also includes WO 2008/064862 A1,
describing a profile structure for a running surface, in particular
of a shoe, having at least one profile element which is arranged or
can be arranged in the region of an associated depression on the
running surface and can be pressed at least partially into the
depression counter to elastic restoring forces. When the running
surface is loaded or comes into contact with an underlying surface,
the profile element is pressed at least partially into the
depression and in the process rolls on the underlying surface by
way of a rolling surface which is situated outside the depression.
A propulsion force is generated in a propulsion direction which is
directed substantially parallel to the running surface or to the
underlying surface.
[0011] One disadvantage with state of the art traction control
devices for footwear is that the traction control devices are
active, i.e. in operation, at all times, also when they are not
needed.
[0012] The applicant has devised and embodied this invention to
overcome these shortcomings and to obtain further advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The invention is set forth and characterized in the main
claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of
the invention.
[0014] It is therefore provided an outsole for footwear, comprising
at least one protrusion extending from the outsole and having a
portion configured for supporting the footwear against a ground
surface, characterized by a traction-enhancing element connected to
the protrusion and selectively insertable between said portion and
the ground surface when the portion is at least partially supported
by the ground surface.
[0015] In one embodiment, the traction-enhancing element is
attached to at least a portion of the protrusion and configured for
bending between a first position and a second position; wherein the
traction-enhancing element in the second position is between said
portion and the ground surface. In one embodiment, the movement of
the traction-enhancing element between the first position and the
second position is effected by a movement of the footwear
predominantly along the ground surface.
[0016] The traction-enhancing element is connected to the
protrusion via an elastic connection, said connection being
configured such that the traction-enhancing element returns to the
first position when it is not subjected to external loads, the
first position representing a state of equilibrium for the
traction-enhancing device.
[0017] The traction-enhancing element comprises a first side and a
second side, configured such that the first side is generally not
in contact with the ground surface when the traction-enhancing
element is in the first position, but is at least partially in
contact with the ground surface when the traction-enhancing element
is in the second position.
[0018] In one embodiment, the first side comprises a
friction-enhancing material. The second side is generally flush
with said portion when the traction-enhancing element is in the
first position. In one embodiment, the traction-enhancing element
comprises a lip made of an elastic material. In one embodiment, the
material of the protrusion and the material of the lip are similar
materials.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] These and other characteristics of the invention will become
clear from the following description of preferential forms of
embodiment, given as non-restrictive examples, with reference to
the attached drawings, wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a boot having an outsole
with a gripping pattern in the form of a plurality of
protrusions;
[0021] FIG. 2a is plan view of an outsole having a plurality of
protrusion, the figure also illustrating the traction enhancers
according to the invention;
[0022] FIG. 2b is a sectional side view as defined by the section
line A-A in FIG. 2a;
[0023] FIGS. 3a-c are principle sketches of a protrusion having
traction enhancers and being supported by a surface, and illustrate
the function of the traction enhancers in a static state (FIG. 3a),
upward slope (FIG. 3b), and downward slope (FIG. 3c),
respectively;
[0024] FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b are schematic plan views of an outsole
protrusion, illustrating two embodiments of the traction
enhancer;
[0025] FIG. 5a is a principle sketch of an outsole protrusion,
being supported by a surface, the figure showing the traction
enhancers in a static, inactive, state;
[0026] FIG. 5b shows the outsole protrusion as illustrated in FIG.
5a, having been subjected to a movement along the surface, whereby
the traction enhancer has been activated;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a sketch of an alternative embodiment of the
protrusion and traction enhancer;
[0028] FIGS. 7a-c are principle sketches illustrating the traction
enhancers when walking on a level surface (FIG. 7a), a downhill
slope (FIG. 7b), and an uphill slope (FIG. 7c), respectively;
[0029] FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate various outsole patterns;
[0030] FIGS. 9a-g illustrate various possible geometries for the
traction enhancers;
[0031] FIG. 10a is a plan view of another variant of the invented
outsole;
[0032] FIG. 10b is a section drawing along section line CL-CL in
FIG. 10a;
[0033] FIG. 11a is a section drawing along section line B-B in FIG.
10a;
[0034] FIG. 11b is a section drawing along section line C-C in FIG.
10a;
[0035] FIG. 11c is a section drawing along section line D-D in FIG.
10a;
[0036] FIG. 11d is a section drawing along section line E-E in FIG.
10a; and
[0037] FIG. 11e is a section drawing along section line G-G in FIG.
10a.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] FIG. 1 shows a boot 1 having an outsole 2, and the outsole
is furnished with protrusions 4 that support the user's weight and
provide contact with the ground surface S. The term "outsole"
generally refers to the bottom of the boot, that is, the part of
the sole that comes in contact with ground when the boot is in use.
The protrusions 4 may be in the form of ridges, knobs, etc.,
arranged in a suitable pattern, as are well known in the art.
Although the following description uses the term "boot", the
invention shall not be restricted to a boot, but applies to any
footwear in general.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 2a and 2b, each protrusion 4
comprises traction-enhancing elements in the form of a "lip" 6
extending around the protrusion's periphery (illustrated as dotted
lines in FIG. 2a). The curved arrows in FIG. 2b illustrate how the
lips 6 may be bent down and around to the underside of the
protrusion. This is also indicated in FIGS. 7a-c. The lip is made
of an elastic material (e.g. rubber, thermoplastic polyurethanes
(TPU), latex, PVC or any other known outsole material. The lip may
be molded together with the protrusion, such that the two form one
unitary element, or the lip may be connected (e.g. glued or
vulcanized) to the protrusion after the protrusion has been
made.
[0040] FIG. 5a, which is a schematic illustration of one protrusion
4, shows how the lower surface 7 of the lip 6 is flush with the
protrusion's ground-engaging surface 8, and also how the lip has a
width dimension w and a height dimension h. Typical dimensions for
w and h may be in the order of 2 mm, but the invention shall not be
limited to any such dimensions. The lip 6 comprises an upper side
12 and a lower side 13. The lower side 13 typically comprises the
lower surface 7. The upper side 12 is generally not in contact with
the ground surface S when the lip is inactive. However, the upper
side 12 is at least partially in contact with the ground surface
when the lip is bent down and under the protrusion (FIG. 5b).
[0041] FIGS. 4a and 4b illustrate two possible lip configurations:
FIG. 4a shows a plurality of discrete lip sections 6a arranged at
intervals around the protrusion, while FIG. 4b indicates how one
lip 6b extends along each side of the protrusion. A number of
conceivable lip cross-sections are shown in FIGS. 9a-g. Various
protrusion patterns are illustrated in FIGS. 8a and 8b.
[0042] Referring again to FIG. 5a, this figure illustrates a
walking mode where there is no slipping between the outsole (i.e.
each protrusion's ground-engaging surface 8) and the ground surface
S. The static friction between the ground-engaging surface 8 and
the ground S maintains a stationary (i.e. non-slipping)
relationship between the boot and the ground. In this state, the
lips 6 are inactive, inasmuch as that they do not carry the weight
of the user and contribute little to the static friction between
the outsole and the surface. This is the equilibrium position for
the lip, i.e. the position which it attains when it is not
subjected to external loads or mending moments causing it to
deflect.
[0043] In order for the outsole to start sliding (slipping) with
respect to the ground, the static friction force must be overcome
by an applied force. The maximum possible friction force between
the ground-engaging surface and the ground before the boot starts
slipping is a product of the coefficient of static friction and the
normal force. This may be expressed as:
f=.mu..sub.s*F.sub.n [0044] where: f=the maximum possible friction
force between the ground-engaging surface 8 and the ground S;
[0045] .mu..sub.s=the coefficient of static friction (determined by
empirically); [0046] F.sub.n=the normal force
[0047] The invention is based on the fact that the friction exerted
by the lips 6 when they are deflected and bent down, underneath the
protrusion, act in a direction opposite of the movement of the boot
(i.e. the outsole and the protrusion 4). This is illustrated by
FIG. 5b. Here, the protrusion 4 has started to slide (indicted by
the arrow M), whereby the lip 6 is forced to down and fold
underneath the ground-engaging surface 8. The movement M is induced
by a force component in the positive or negative x-direction, and
this x-force component may be due to accelerations in the
x-direction or/and an inclined surface (uphill or downhill).
[0048] FIG. 3a similarly illustrates a static situation on a level
surface, where the lips 6 are not activated. FIGS. 3b and 3c
illustrates a downward and an uphill slope, respectively, where the
protrusion 4 starts to move downwards (arrow M), thus activating
the "forward" lip 6, i.e. the lip that is facing towards the
direction of motion (M).
[0049] A fundamental principle behind the invention is that the
lips 6 are activated when the protrusion 4 starts to slip.
[0050] FIG. 6 illustrates a variant where the protrusion 4'
comprises a groove 9. This enhances lip activation in that the
groove allows for an initial rotation of the part of the protrusion
where the lip is attached. The transition between the protrusion
and the lip preferably has a radius R2 to avoid stress and strain
hot spots and material failure. FIG. 6 also shows how the lip
conveniently may be furnished with an enlarged ("mushroom-shaped")
outer portion 10, and that the upper side 12 of the lip may
comprise a friction material 11 which will come into contact with
ground when the lip is activated. A similar friction material 11 is
indicated in FIGS. 9e-g.
[0051] FIGS. 10a,b and 11a-e illustrate another variant of the
invented outsole. A number of peripheral protrusions 4a and central
protrusions 4b are provided with respective traction-enhancing
elements in the form of "lips" 6'' extending around the
protrusion's periphery in a manner similar to that described
above.
[0052] Referring specifically to FIG. 11e, each lip 6'' comprises
an upper side 12 and a lower side 13. The upper side 12 is
generally not in contact with the ground surface when the lip is
inactive. However, the upper side 12 is at least partially in
contact with the ground surface when the lip is bent down and under
the protrusion (FIG. 5b). The protrusion 4a comprises a groove 9
which enhances lip activation in that the groove allows for an
initial rotation of the part of the protrusion where the lip is
attached.
[0053] Modifications and/or additions can be made to the element as
described heretofore, but these shall remain within the field and
scope of the invention.
[0054] Although the invention has been described with reference to
a protrusion 4 having a rectangular cross-section, as shown in
FIGS. 4a and 4b, it should be understood that the invention is
equally applicable to protrusions having non-rectangular
cross-sections, e.g. as shown in FIG. 2. Circular, elliptical and
polygonal cross-sections, etc. are other examples of
non-rectangular cross-sections. Examples of such cross-sections are
shown in FIGS. 8a and 8b.
* * * * *