Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
  • A43B13/02—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the material
  • A43B13/026—Composites, e.g. carbon fibre or aramid fibre; the sole, one or more sole layers or sole part being made of a composite
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
  • A43B13/02—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the material
  • A43B13/12—Soles with several layers of different materials
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
  • A43B23/08—Heel stiffeners; Toe stiffeners
  • A43B23/16—Heel stiffeners; Toe stiffeners made of impregnated fabrics, plastics or the like
  • A43B23/17—Heel stiffeners; Toe stiffeners made of impregnated fabrics, plastics or the like made of plastics
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
  • A43B5/002—Mountain boots or shoes
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
  • A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
  • A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
  • A43B7/18—Joint supports, e.g. instep supports

Definitions

• the present invention relates to shoes, the sole assembly of which is carried out according to a laminated structure with several layers respectively fulfilling distinct functions and relates in particular to the coupling of a reinforcement element of the rod with one of the layers of the sole.
• the semi-rigid upper layer which constitutes the nerve of the sole, can be requested to vary its position relative to the ground depending on the forces applied to the rod using the lateral supports which form the reinforcing element thereof.
• This reinforcing element supports consequently the stresses undergone by the rod, in particular during use, and transmits them directly to the sole of the shoe by the semi-rigid upper layer from which it comes, and vice versa.
• the upper and sole are made interdependent which improves the lateral hold of the user's foot in the shoe, and therefore the stability of the shod foot.
• the effectiveness of this coupling is reveals randomness, even at least insufficient, to obtain good adhesion and adhesion effective because the rigidity obtained at the wear layer which comes into contact with the ground, i.e. level of the sole-soil interface, is not only a function of the mechanical properties of the layer semi-rigid upper with its reinforcement, but also a function of the mechanical properties of the intermediate rubber layer which is interposed between it and the wear layer.
• shock absorbing by nature which also adds the thickness of the sole material on the side furthest from the plantar surface of the foot the user, there is a significant dispersion of shocks and stresses at his level, as well as elastic deformations which have a harmful influence on the lateral hold of the foot expected using of the reinforcing element, and therefore on the stability during the impact of the sole assembly with the ground.
• the precision support of the sole assembly with the ground is also altered.
• Another disadvantage is that the semi-rigid upper layer is located immediately vis-à-vis the plantar surface of the user's foot.
• the shoe described and taught differs from the one which has just been exposed previously essentially by the fact that the sole assembly has no shock absorbing upper layer, or comfort layer, between the semi-rigid upper layer which is provided with the reinforcing element and the wear layer which comes into contact with the ground.
• the shoe comprises, on the one hand, a sole made according to a laminated structure having several layers fulfilling distinct functions respectively, i.e. at least one wear layer and one nerve, and on the other hand, a reinforcing element of its stem which is cut to that of the layers of said sole assembly which constitutes its nerve layer, the latter being directly disposed on the wear layer which comes in contact with the ground.
• the resulting overall structure thus gives more efficiency to the coupling of the reinforcing element with the upper layer which are preferably made of material injected plastic, therefore provided with a certain rigidity.
• such a sole assembly that is to say without an absorbing intermediate layer or layer comfort, is particularly unsuitable for ensuring a transfer function capable of attenuating shocks to the user's foot correctly on each contact with the ground, i.e. to amortize.
• this transfer function with damping is essential in the sole assembly for the smooth running of the foot, which takes place overall in three phases, damping-propulsion-propulsion, and to prevent certain traumas which occur almost generally as a result of the intensity of the shocks and their frequency in sensitive areas of the plantar surface of the foot, like for example the heel area where the overloads are significant.
• the cushioning function of the sole assembly is particularly important during this first phase of unwinding of the foot, to absorb at least part of the energy of the shock which occurs at this time there by dissipating it in the form of elastic deformation, and thus avoid overloads generating injuries and / or injuries.
• the shoe according to the invention comprises, on the one hand, a sole assembly produced according to a laminated structure having several layers, ie at least one wear layer and a nerve layer respectively fulfilling distinct functions, and on the other hand, an element of reinforcement of the upper which is cut to that of the layers of said sole assembly which constitutes its nerve layer, this the latter being directly disposed on the wear layer which comes into contact with the ground.
• the reinforcing element is coupled to the nerve layer of the sole in a region located between the heel and the anterior end of said sole assembly, and in that it extends from this region on at least one side of the stem away from the sole assembly into the region located in vis-à-vis the heel of the latter, and by the fact that a layer of cushioning and elastic comfort is interposed between the upper and said nerve layer of the sole.
• the reinforcing element extends freely relative to the sides of the stem.
• the shoe 1 shown by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 2 generally comprises a upper 10 assembled to a sole assembly 2 produced according to a laminated structure, and a reinforcing element 20 of the rod 10 directly coupled to the sole assembly 2.
• the rod 10 has a opening for the passage of the foot and a tightening-closing system 11 such as a lacing allowing the adaptation of the footwear volume of the shoe 1 to the foot; its assembly with the sole assembly 2 is made, after embedding in the reinforcing element 20, using assembly techniques classics such as those using gluing, welding, seams, crimping, ...
• the reinforcing element 20 being preferably left free relative to its wall, particularly in the region 21 which corresponds to that, posterior, of the foot of the user, and which is located opposite the heel 22 of the sole assembly 2, but can also be fully integrated into the upper, for example by sewing.
• the reinforcing element 20 is cut at the nerve layer 4 of the sole assembly 2 in the region 24 situated between the heel 22 and the anterior end 23 of the latter, substantially in correspondence of the arch of the foot of the user because this region is practically not stressed in flexion during the unwinding of the foot; it extends on each side 12, 12 ′, of the rod 10 from from this region 24 away from the sole assembly 2 into the region 21 of the heel 22 thereof, which in turn gives the general shape of a strip having an arcuate branch 20 'directed substantially parallel to the sole assembly 2 in the region 21 of the heel 22.
• the embodiment according to which the reinforcing element 20 extends freely on the sides 12, 12 ′ of the rod 10 is important when the rod 10 is, for example, mounted glued or sewn to a first mounting sole 28 via flaps 13, 13 ', coming from its sides 12, 12', such as shown in Figure 5, before being assembled to the sole assembly 2.
• the sides 12, 12 'of the rod 10 are fixed to the first mounting 28 with such firmness that they are obliged to follow almost all the relative displacements of this one compared to the comfort layer 5 on which it is fixed.
• the relative displacement of the sides 12, 12 ′, with respect to the reinforcing element 20 can advantageously be limited in amplitude, in particular in the posterior region 21 at the location of the heel 22 of the sole assembly 2.
• the reinforcing element 20 is provided for this purpose with a substantially vertical tab 30 which extends in the direction of the sole assembly 2 opposite the heel 22 of the latter.
• a free space of value H predetermined by construction, as visible in FIG. 3, remains at rest between the free end 30 'of the tab 30 and the sole assembly 2.
• the heel 22 flexes freely in the direction of the reinforcing element 20 by absorbing the intensity of the shock resulting from the impact , and this, during the reduction of the free space H. If the intensity of the impact is such that it could not be fully absorbed during this bending of the heel 22, the latter then comes into abutment against the free end 30 ′ of the lug 30 which, due to its rigidity and of its attachment to the reinforcing element 20, blocks it in its bending movement.
• a sole assembly 2 is therefore obtained, the behavior of which varies, starting from a predetermined threshold of intensity of the shocks which result from the impact of the sole assembly 2 with the ground 26, as much in its damping capacity as in that of its bending.
• the freedom of reciprocal movement conferred on the sides 12, 12 ′, of the rod 10 and the reinforcement element 20, as illustrated in FIG. 5, preserves the lateral holding and the stability of the foot 50 also when the damping is obtained simply by deformation elastic of the comfort layer 5. Indeed, in this operating case, the foot 50 compresses, by support reaction, the comfort layer 5 as indicated by arrow 29 and relatively lowers by relative to the arcuate branch 20 ′ of the reinforcing element 20 on each side 12, 12 ′, of the rod 10. the reinforcing element 20 therefore fits even more the foot 50 of the user.
• each arcuate branch 20 ′ of the reinforcing element 20 bypasses the region 34 of the malleoli of the user's foot 50 from below. It is obvious that other achievements are possible, and that, in particular, the arcuate branch 20 ′ of the reinforcing element 20 could bypass region 34 of the malleoli above.
• the generally strip-like reinforcing element 20 can have, on at least one side 12 or 12 'of the upper 10 of the shoe 1, at least two branches arched 20 'which bypass region 34 of the malleoli, one branch 20' passing below and the other above.
• the shoe 31 is similar to that of FIGS. 1 to 5 with the difference that attachment means 32, 32 ′, for example lacing hooks, are attached to the element reinforcement 20 to cooperate with the holding and closing system 11.
• attachment means 32, 32 ′ for example lacing hooks
• these attachment means are located near the region 35 corresponding to the elbow of the user.
• the reinforcing element 20 which is cut at the nerve layer 4 of the sole assembly 2 of shoe 1 or 31, shown in broken lines, is provided with another reinforcing element 40, in general form of stirrup, which is pivotally mounted.
• This other reinforcing element 40 extends over the part upper 41 of upper 10 of shoe 1, 31, surrounding the posterior region 21 of the foot the user.
• the reinforcing element 20 cut at the nerve layer 4 of the sole assembly 2 is in the form of a strip as described above, that is to say that it has at least one arcuate branch 20 ′ directed substantially parallel to the sole assembly 2 in the region 21 of the heel 22 of the latter, but which also has at least one branch of reinforcement 44 directed towards the front end 23 of the sole assembly 2 (not shown), which branch 44 at least partially surrounds the anterior region of the wearer's foot.
• the strengthening branch 44 of element 20 thus strengthens the upper of the shoe forward while protecting the foot from side and front impacts like a "rock guard".
• FIG. 9 an alternative embodiment is illustrated in which the nerve layer 4 of the sole assembly the shoe comprises in selected places cutouts 46, 47, ensuring communication direct between the wear layer 3 and the comfort layer 5 of the sole assembly 2 visible in FIG. 1.
• These cutouts 46, 47 are intended to reflect the support reactions which result from the contact of the sole 2 with the ground, to make them more noticeable by certain support areas of the foot the user.
• the reinforcing element 20 cut to the layer nerve 4 of the sole does not extend from one side to the other of the rod as shown in the examples which precede, but only on one side of the upper of the shoe.
• the reinforcement of the upper of the shoe remains however totally interdependent of the sole assembly as targeted by the invention, and leads to the same results with, obviously, a predominance accentuated on the side of the shoe where the reinforcing element 20 extends.
• the latter extends to the posterior region 21 located opposite the heel 22 of the sole assembly (not shown) so as to properly fit the foot of the user.
• the nerve layer to which it is coupled may include a cutout 46 allowing communication direct between the wear layer 3 and the comfort layer 5.
• the nerve layer 4 of the sole assembly is advantageously obtained in one piece with the reinforcing element 20, whatever the number of branches 20 ′, 44, the constituent.
• the nerve layer 4 and the reinforcing element 20 can also be carried out independently of each other and then be coupled together in region 24 located between the heel 22 and the front end 23 of the sole assembly 2 by known assembly methods such as riveting, gluing, welding, ... etc.
• the reinforcing element 20 can be secured to the sides 12, 12 ′, of the rod 10, by example by sewing, gluing, welding, etc., without thereby departing from the scope of the invention; indeed, in such a construction case, the reinforcing element 20 is then used in the manner of a beam bending which contributes to damping by slowing down the lowering of the rod 10 towards the sole assembly 2.
• the invention relates to shoes in general and can therefore be applied to both classic walking shoes than on sports shoes intended for hiking, mountaineering, running, skiing, etc., as well as on shoes intended to be associated with rolling evolutionary devices such as for example roller skates, inline skates, and / or sliding evolutionary devices such as ice skates or snow skates.
• rolling evolutionary devices such as for example roller skates, inline skates, and / or sliding evolutionary devices such as ice skates or snow skates.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Materials Engineering (AREA)
• Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=9508919

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (7)

Cited By (10)

Families Citing this family (99)

Citations (6)

Family Cites Families (9)

• 1997
  • 1997-06-27 FR FR9708555A patent/FR2765083B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1998
  • 1998-06-12 DE DE69807594T patent/DE69807594T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1998-06-12 AT AT98110786T patent/ATE223163T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1998-06-12 ES ES98110786T patent/ES2179403T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-06-12 EP EP98110786A patent/EP0887027B1/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1998-06-22 CA CA002242013A patent/CA2242013A1/fr not_active Abandoned
  • 1998-06-25 US US09/104,178 patent/US6000148A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related

Patent Citations (6)

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