U.S. patent number 3,629,962 [Application Number 05/016,364] was granted by the patent office on 1971-12-28 for shoe outsole.
Invention is credited to Louis C. Brock.
United States Patent |
3,629,962 |
Brock |
December 28, 1971 |
SHOE OUTSOLE
Abstract
An outsole has a generally flat ground-engaging surface and
elongated recesses projecting upwardly into the sole proper from
the ground-engaging surface. One recess extends transversely across
the toe area of the sole. Another extends longitudinally along the
outer side of the sole in the ball area. Still others extend
obliquely through the ball area and terminate in the vicinity of
the shank area. Two more are arranged side-by-side in the heel area
and extend longitudinally therein. All recesses have arcuate
longitudinal margins and are V-shaped in transverse cross section.
The foregoing arrangement and configurations of the recesses afford
excellent footing when quick starts or changes in position are
attempted, both in forward and lateral directions.
Inventors: |
Brock; Louis C. (Olivette,
MO) |
Family
ID: |
21776744 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/016,364 |
Filed: |
March 4, 1970 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/9R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B
5/00 (20130101); A43B 13/223 (20130101); A43B
13/00 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A43B
13/14 (20060101); A43B 13/00 (20060101); A43B
13/22 (20060101); A43B 5/00 (20060101); A43b
013/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;36/59C,28,14 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
509,059 |
|
Feb 1952 |
|
BE |
|
140,302 |
|
Mar 1920 |
|
GB |
|
1,142,595 |
|
Apr 1957 |
|
FR |
|
211,107 |
|
Aug 1940 |
|
CH |
|
Primary Examiner: Guest; Alfred R.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An outsole formed from a flexible material and comprising a
generally flat surface and elongated traction-inducing surfaces
presented at a different elevation than the generally flat surface,
the elongated traction inducing surfaces being V-shaped in
transverse cross section and having arcuate longitudinal margins,
one elongated traction-inducing surface extending transversely of
the sole at the toe area thereof, another traction-inducing surface
extending longitudinally of the sole adjacent to the outer side
thereof in the ball area of the sole, still another
traction-inducing surface extending obliquely from the inner side
of the sole across the ball area to the outer side of the sole and
terminating behind the longitudinal traction-inducing surface, and
more elongated traction-inducing surfaces extending longitudinally
of the sole and in side-by-side relation at the heel area of the
sole.
2. An outsole formed from a flexible material and comprising a
plurality of elongated recesses, the longitudinal margins of which
are generally parallel and arcuate, one recess being in the toe
area of the sole and oriented generally transversely of the sole
with the convex sides of its arcuate margins presented forwardly,
another recess being in the ball area of the sole adjacent the
outer side thereof and oriented generally longitudinally of the
sole with the convex sides of its arcuate margins being presented
toward the outer side of the sole, still another recess extending
obliquely across the sole and having its forwardmost end adjacent
to the inner side of the sole generally opposite from the
longitudinal recess and its rearmost end adjacent to the outer side
of the sole to the rear of the longitudinal recess, the oblique
recess having the convex sides of its arcuate margins presented
toward the longitudinal recess in the ball area, and a pair of the
recesses being located side by side in the heel area of the sole
and oriented longitudinally of the sole with the convex sides of
the arcuate margins for each heel recess being presented toward the
side of the sole closest to that recess.
3. An outsole according to claim 2 wherein the recesses are
V-shaped in transverse cross section.
4. An outsole according to claim 2 wherein the ground-engaging
surface has a rough texture.
5. An outsole for providing substantial thrust in directions
lateral to the body; said outsole being formed from a flexible
material and having a generally flat ground engaging surface and a
plurality of elongated recesses opening outwardly from the
ground-engaging surface and being completely isolated from one
another by the ground-engaging surface, one recess being located
adjacent to the outer side of the sole in the ball area thereof and
oriented generally longitudinally of the sole, another recess
extending obliquely across the sole and having its forwardmost end
adjacent the inner side of the sole and its rearmost end adjacent
to the outer side of the sole to the rear of the longitudinal
recess, and still another recess being located in the heel area of
the sole and extending longitudinally of the sole.
6. An outsole according to claim 5 wherein yet another elongated
recess is in the toe area of the sole ahead of the longitudinal
recess in the ball area and is oriented generally transversely of
the sole.
7. An outsole according to claim 6 wherein still another recess
extends obliquely in the sole, the second oblique recess being
located to the rear of the first oblique recess.
8. An outsole according to claim 7 wherein the front end of the
second oblique recess is located adjacent to the inner side of the
sole and the rear end is located within the shank area of the
sole.
9. An outsole for providing substantial thrust in directions
lateral to the body; said outsole being formed from a flexible
material and having a generally flat ground engaging surface and a
plurality of elongated recesses opening outwardly from the
ground-engaging surface and being completely isolated from one
another by the ground-engaging surface, one recess being in the toe
area of the sole and oriented generally transversely of the sole,
another recess being located adjacent to the outer side of the sole
to the rear of the transverse recess and being oriented generally
longitudinally of the sole, still another recess extending
obliquely across the sole and having its forward end adjacent to
the inner side of the sole and directly across the sole from the
longitudinal recess, and yet another recess being located in the
heel area of the sole and extending longitudinally of the sole.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to footwear and more particularly
to outsoles for shoes.
In many athletic events movements in lateral directions are just as
important as movements in the forward direction, and therefore it
is important to have good footing or traction for lateral starts as
well as forward starts. This is particularly true in baseball. For
example, when attempting to steal a base, the base runner
invariably starts with his body facing the pitcher and feet
positioned perpendicularly to the base path, since in that position
the runner can easily retreat to base from which he has taken a
lead or else move on to the next base. The position furthermore
does not disclose the runner's intentions to the opposing pitcher.
Likewise, the batter positions his feet in the batter's box such
that they are perpendicular to the path of the ball. When the
batter swings at a pitch he again shifts his weight in a lateral
direction and it is therefore important that the batter have good
footing in a lateral direction also. Similarly, in fielding a
ballplayer moves laterally as often as forwardly and backwardly,
particularly if he is playing one of the infield positions, and
consequently lateral thrust is an important factor in fielding
also.
Athletic shoes of current manufacture are designed primarily for
forward movement and little consideration is given to the footing
necessary to have quick lateral starts and good lateral
movements.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
One of the principal objects of the present invention is to provide
a shoe outsole which affords excellent footing for movements in
lateral directions as well as the forward direction. Another object
is to provide a shoe sole which provides good footing and quick
starts on natural outdoor surfaces such as dirt and turf. A further
object is to provide a shoe, having an outsole of the type
described, which is extremely comfortable. Another object is to
provide a shoe sole which does not damage or injure the surface it
engages and therefore is suitable for use on many types of athletic
surfaces, both indoors and outdoors. Still another object is to
provide a shoe sole which is attractive in appearance and
economical to manufacture. A further object of this invention is to
provide a shoe suitable for young athletes, said shoe providing
traction without spikes. Still another object is to provide an
athletic shoe sole with wide recesses which are easily cleaned and
which are not easily clogged with foreign matter. These and other
objects and advantages will become apparent hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is embodied in an outsole having an outer
field-engaging surface and a plurality of traction inducing
surfaces at a different elevation from the first surface. The
traction-inducing surfaces are arranged across the field-engaging
surface to afford excellent footing for movements in both forward
and lateral directions. The invention also consists in the parts
and in the arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter
described and claimed.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification
and wherein like numerals and letters refer to like parts wherever
they occur:
FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of an outsole constructed in
accordance with and embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1 and
further showing the remaining portion of the shoe in phantom;
and
FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an outsole 2 which is
particularly suited for use on canvas athletic and leisure shoes
designated by the broken lines 3 in FIG. 2. It is also suitable for
use on shoes of other varieties and shoes manufactured from other
compositions. Preferably the outsole 2 is molded as an integral
unit from a flexible elastomeric substance.
The outsole 2 has an upper surface 4 which fits against and is
secured normally by way of an adhesive to the insole of the shoe 3.
It also has a flat side face 6 which projects above the upper
surface 4 to form a continuous lip 8 (FIGS. 2 and 3) around the
sole 2. The lip 8 surrounds and obscures the insole of the shoe
3.
The outsole 2 has a bottom surface 10 which for the most part is
flat. The surface 10 engages the field or playing surface and,
unlike the surface 4, has a roughened texture to increase the
friction between it and whatever playing surface it may engage. For
convenience of reference, the sole 2, and particularly the bottom
ground-engaging surface 10 thereof, may be divided into a toe area
12 which underlies the wearer's toes, a ball area 14 presented
underneath the ball of the wearer's foot, a shank area 16 over
which the wearer's instep extends, and a heel area 18 which is
located beneath the wearer's heel. The side face 6 may be divided
into an inner side 20 and an outer side 22. Both sides 20 and 22
curve toward one another at the shank area 16 and the curvature of
the former is more pronounced than the curvature of the later, the
point of greatest curvature thereon being at the juncture of the
ball area 14 and the shank area 16.
Extending transversely across the toe area 12 is an elongated
recess 30 which intersects the flat bottom surface 10 at parallel
leading and trailing margins 32 and 34. Both the leading and
trailing margins 32 and 34 have a slight amount of curvature, and
are oriented with their concave sides presented rearwardly toward
the heel area 18. Thus, the recess 30 possesses a slightly arcuate
configuration. In cross section the recess 30 is V-shaped, having
converging flat surfaces 38 and 40 extending inwardly from the
margins 32 and 34, respectively. Those surfaces 38 and 40 intersect
at a raised centerline 42. The side margins 34 have side surfaces
44 extending upwardly from them, and while those surfaces converge,
they do not intersect each other but instead intersect the
converging flat surfaces 38 and 40. The surfaces 38 40 and 44
induce greater traction than might otherwise be available if the
bottom surface 10 were continuous and not interrupted with recesses
such as the recess 30.
Behind the recess 30 the ball area 14 is provided with another
downwardly opening elongated recess 50 which likewise is V-shaped
in transverse cross section and has parallel arcuate margins.
Indeed, the recess 50 is for all practical purposes identical to
the recess 30 except for the fact that it is slightly longer and is
oriented in a different direction. The configuration of the recess
50 will therefor not be described in greater detail. The recess 50
is set slightly inwardly from the outer side 22 of the side face 6,
and the convex sides of its arcuate margins are presented
outwardly.
The ball area 14 is traversed by another recess 52 which like the
recess 30 is V-shaped in cross section and has arcuate leading and
trailing margins. The recess 52 commences adjacent to the inner
side 20 of the side face 6 directly opposite from the recess 50 and
extends obliquely toward the shank area 16. At its other end the
recess 52 passes behind the recess 50 and terminates adjacent to
the other side 22 within or close to the front portion of the shank
area 16. In this area that is behind the recess 50, the curvature
of the leading and trailing margins of the recess 52 diminishes and
the recess 52 assumes a generally straight direction. The convex
sides of the leading and trailing margins of the recess 52 are
presented forwardly toward the recesses 30 and 50.
Generally paralleling the recess 52 and located immediately
inwardly from and to the rear of it is another oblique recess 54
which also has arcuate margins and a V-shaped cross-sectional
configuration. The forward end of the recess 52 commences adjacent
to the inner side 20 of the side face 6, while the rear end thereof
extends into and terminates within the shank area 16. The recess 54
extends only partially across the bottom surface 10, and its rear
end is for the most part disposed within the inner half of the
shank area 16. Since the recess 54 parallels the recess 52, the
convex sides of its arcuate margins are oriented in the same
direction. Thus, the convex sides of its margins are presented
toward the recesses 52 and 50.
To the rear of the recess 54 where the narrowest portion of the
shank area 16 exists, the shank area 16 is free of recesses. It is,
however, traversed by a pair of slightly embossed ribs 56, and in
between the ribs 56 that flat bottom surface 10 has a slightly
rougher texture than the remaining portion of the bottom surface
10.
The heel area 18 has a pair of recesses 58 which are located
opposite each other. The recesses 58, like the recess 50, are
oriented longitudinally of the bottom surface 10 and, furthermore,
have arcuate longitudinal margins and a V-shaped cross-sectional
configuration. The inner recess 58 is located adjacent to the inner
side 20 of the side face 6 and has the convex sides of its margins
presented toward that side 20. The outer recess 58 is located
adjacent to the outer side 22 of the side face 6, and the convex
sides of its arcuate margins are presented toward that side 22.
The outsole 2 is ideally suited for use on natural outdoor surfaces
such as dirt and turf. On either type of surface and particularly
the former, excellent footing or traction in a forward direction is
provided, and this is attributable primarily to the recess 30. In
particular, that recess extends transversely of the bottom surface
10 and the foot and permits dirt or turf to enter the sole 2 across
substantially the entire width of the bottom surface 10. This in
turn creates a firmer bite into the dirt or turf so that the
chances of slipping are minimized. Inasmuch as the toe is the last
portion of the foot to leave the ground when walking or running
forwardly and is the portion of the foot through which the forward
thrust is applied, the bite is maintained throughout the duration
the foot is on the ground. In other words, the only fully
transverse recess in the sole 2, that is the recess 30, is
positioned in the toe area 12, and during forward motion that area
remains in engagement with the ground for the longest duration and
at the time when the leg muscles apply the forward thrust.
The recesses 50, 52 and 54 also assist in establishing a bite into
the ground, but by reason of their position and orientation, they
are not as effective as the recess 30 insofar as movement in a
forward direction is concerned.
As previously noted, however, in many sports footing in a lateral
direction is just as important as or perhaps even more important
than footing in a forward direction. The outsole 2 affords
excellent footing or traction in either lateral direction due to
the generally longitudinal orientation of the recesses 50 and 58,
and the oblique orientation of the recesses 52 and 54. All of the
recesses 50, 52, 54 and 58 permit the dirt or turf to enter the
sole 2 for along approximately the entire length of that sole 2 so
as to establish a good bite with the ground. Consequently, when the
leg muscles push off to move the body in a lateral direction, good
traction is achieved and slippage is again minimized. Thus, the
lateral thrust exerted by the legs is put to maximum benefit and
little of it is wasted.
In many instances, as the leg exerts lateral thrust the foot tends
to pivot on its ball. The oblique orientation and arcuate contour
of the recesses 54 and 56 permit such pivoting, yet remain
positioned to afford maximum thrust in an oblique direction without
slippage also.
In view of the foregoing, excellent footing is achieved and quick
starts are possible in both forward and lateral directions. This
improved footing, and particularly the ability to derive
exceptional lateral thrust, makes the outsole 2 ideally suited for
sandlot baseball and softball games. Indeed, it has been said that
the shoes equipped with outsoles 2 are closest to spiked shoes yet
in flat sole shoe.
The V-shaped cross-sectional shape of the recesses 30, 50, 52, 54
and 58 affords excellent thrust and traction, yet resists the
tendency for dirt and other foreign matter to lodge in those
recesses. Also by reason of the V-shaped configuration the recesses
30, 50, 52, 54 and 58 are easily cleaned of dirt and foreign matter
which may become lodged in them. The side walls of the recesses are
at an angle of 10.degree. or more, preferably more than 20.degree.
with the vertical. The recesses are slightly more than one half the
thickness of the sole for wearing qualities and protection of the
foot against stepping on sharp objects or pebbles.
Since the outsole 2 has no projections extending downwardly from
its flat bottom surfaces 10, it is suitable for use on artificial
surfaces such as asphalt and wood, the former of which is found
primarily outdoors, while the latter is used indoors for such
sports as basketball and volleyball.
This invention is intended to cover all changes and modifications
of the example of the invention herein chosen for purposes of the
disclosure which do not constitute departures from the spirit and
scope of the invention.
* * * * *