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
  • A43B13/12—Soles with several layers of different materials
  • A43B13/125—Soles with several layers of different materials characterised by the midsole or middle layer
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B1/00—Footwear characterised by the material
  • A43B1/0018—Footwear characterised by the material made at least partially of flexible, bellow-like shaped material
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
  • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
  • A43B13/141—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form with a part of the sole being flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
  • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
  • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
  • A43B13/181—Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A43—FOOTWEAR
  • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
  • A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
  • A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
  • A43B13/18—Resilient soles
  • A43B13/181—Resiliency achieved by the structure of the sole
  • A43B13/183—Leaf springs
• • 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
  • A43B7/1495—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with arch-supports of the bracelet type

Definitions

• the present invention lies in the field of shoe technology and relates to a midsole for a sport shoe, such as running shoes or particularly gymnastic or cross-fit shoes, a shoe sole with such
• Soles for sport shoes typically comprise different cushioning systems.
• Relevant cushioning systems known in the prior art relate to channels which enable cushioning, spring elements, such a vertically extending dampers, or fluid filled chambers, e.g. chambers which are filled0 with a gel or with air.
• the majority of such cushioning systems focus on the forces which occur during long or medium distance running in which vertical acting forces predominate.
• when running downhill also forces acting horizontally, i.e. along a longitudinal direction of the shoe sole occur.
• the sportsperson does not only perform unidirectional movements as it is the case for long or medium distance running, but also other movements, such as side steps, jumps, lunges, squats and the like, which are not unidirectional, but also entail laterally or medially acting forces on the wearer's foot.
• cushioning typically requires a certain degree of flexibility
• many cushioning systems known in the prior art evoke instabilities, in particular in the medial and lateral0 directions. While this is not a significant issue for unidirectional running, it is a profound disadvantage for other activities as mentioned above, in particular as such instabilities may cause severe foot injuries.
• a greater flexibility of the shoe for side step movements, splits and the like would be desirable.
• cushioning requires a certain flexibility, it typically leads to a less efficient force transmission. As an example, if a sportsperson jumps, not all of the body force is used
• a midsole is provided which allows for a greater flexibility of the shoe for side step movements, splits and the like.
• significant instabilities in particular lateral or medial sided instabilities are avoided.
• a midsole is provided which allows for a greater wearing comfort, in particular during side step movements.
• the invention relates in a first aspect to a midsole for a sport shoe, in particular a gymnastic or cross-fit shoe.
• the midsole comprises a forefoot area, a heel area and midfoot area.
• The0 midfoot area is generally arranged between the forefoot area and the heel area.
• the midsole further comprises a top layer and an opposing, i.e. oppositely arranged, base layer.
• the top layer and the base layer typically delimit the midsole in the vertical direction.
• the midsole comprises a heel edge and a midsole tip.
• a longitudinal direction of the midsole extends from the heel edge to the midsole tip. It is understood that in the operative state, i.e.
• the midsole further comprises one or more horizontal tilting slits.
• the one or more horizontal tilting slits are each arranged on a medial side of the midsole or on the lateral side of the midsole. It is understood however that there may be one or more horizontal tilting slits on the medial side and also one or more horizontal tilting slits on the lateral side of the midsole. Each of the horizontal tilting slits divide the midsole in a corresponding midsole top portion and a midsole base portion.
• the midsole top portion is in the vertical direction arranged above the horizontal tilting slit and the midsole base portion is in the vertical direction arranged below the horizontal tilting slit.
• Each horizontal tilting slit is configured to tilt the corresponding midsole top portion, i.e. the midsole top portion above this horizontal tilting slit, with respect to the corresponding midsole base portion, i.e. the midsole base portion being arranged below this horizontal tilting slit.
• the corresponding horizontal tilting slit widens, i.e. a slit angle defined between the midsole top portion and the midsole base portion widens. This entails a higher flexibility of the midsole, in particular during side step movements or splits.
• the slit is a horizontal slit, there is no profound instability of the midsole, e.g. in the medial and/or lateral direction.
• the longitudinal direction LO of the midsole is described by an axis from the heel area, respectively from the heel edge, to the forefoot region, respectively to the midsole tip, and thus extends along the longitudinal axis of the midsole.
• the transverse direction TR of the midsole respectively the shoe sole extends transversely to the longitudinal axis and substantially parallel to the base layer of the midsole, or substantially parallel to the ground in the operative state.
• the transverse direction runs along a transverse axis of the midsole.
• the transverse direction extends from the medial side of the midsole to the lateral side of the midsole, respectively the shoe sole.
• the term "extending along/in the transverse direction” may typically refer to extending towards the lateral side of the midsole and the term "extending
• the vertical direction V denotes a direction from the base layer to the top layer of the midsole in the direction of the insole, or in the operative state in the direction of the foot of the wearer, and thus runs along a vertical axis of the midsole respectively the shoe sole.
• extending along/in the vertical0 direction typically refers to extending towards the top layer of the midsole and the term “extending against the vertical direction” typically refers to extending towards the base layer of the midsole.
• the terms “above” or “below” typically refer to an element being arranged in the vertical direction above or below another element.
• the longitudinal direction, the vertical direction and the transverse direction may all be perpendicular to each other.
• The5 lateral side of the midsole is the outer perimeter of the midsole between the heel edge and the sole tip, which in the worn state rests against the outer instep of the wearer's foot.
• the indication "horizontal” refers to a direction or plane extending in the longitudinal and the transverse direction and being perpendicular to the vertical direction. In the worn state, a horizontal tilting slit is thus parallel to the base layer, the top layer or also to the ground.
• The0 medial side of the midsole refers to the inner perimeter of the midsole between the heel edge and the sole tip, which is located opposite the lateral side.
• the medial sides of the two running shoes face each other and the lateral sides face awayfrom each other.
• the midsole may typically along the longitudinal direction be divided into a forefoot area, a heel area and a midfoot area being arranged between the5 forefoot area and the heel area.
• the forefoot area extends from the midsole tip against, i.e. opposite, the longitudinal direction to 30-45% of the total length of the midsole in the longitudinal direction.
• the heel area extends, for example, from the heel edge in the longitudinal direction to 20-30% of the total length of the midsole in the longitudinal direction.
• the midfoot area extends directly between the heel area and the forefoot area, such that the length in the longitudinal direction of the midfoot area makes up the remaining portion of the total length, particularly from 1 5-50% of the total length.
• the one or more horizontal tilting slit is, or are each, configured to tilt the corresponding midsole top portion about a horizontal tilting axis with respect to the midsole base portion.
• the horizontal tilting axis may in particular extend in the longitudinal direction of the midsole.
• the midsole comprises a medial sided horizontal tilting slit and a lateral0 sided horizontal tilting slit.
• the midsole comprises only a single medial sided horizontal tilting slit and only a single lateral sided horizontal tilting slit. It is understood that a medial sided horizontal tilting slit is arranged on the medial side of the midsole and a lateral sided horizontal tilting slit is arranged on the lateral side of the midsole. Having such a single horizontal tilting slit on each side allows flexibility both for movements in the lateral and in the medial direction.
• the one or more horizontal tilting slits are arranged in the midfoot area of the midsole and optionally in the forefoot area.
• one or more horizontal tilting slits are arranged only in the midfoot area of the midsole.
• Such an arrangement has the advantage that a midsole is provided which is flexible for sideway0 movements, but whose heel area does not comprise such a horizontal tilting slit, which increases the stability of the midsole. This is advantageous, as in particular during running initial contact with the ground is conducted with the heel area and thus having horizontal tilting slits only in the midfoot and optionally the forefoot area increases the stability.
• the distance between each of these horizontal tilting slits and the heel edge is between 20% and 40%, in particular between 25% and 35% of the total length of the midsole.
• the total length of the midsole is defined as the
• the one or more horizontal tilting slits each have a depth of 3 mm to 25 mm, in particular of 5 mm to 8 mm.
• the depth of a slit is the extension of the slit from the medial side or the lateral side in the transverse direction into the midsole.
• the depth of a medial sided horizontal tilting slit is the extension of this slit from the medial side in the0 transverse direction towards the lateral side of the midsole.
• the depth of a lateral sided horizontal tilting slit is the extension of this slit from the lateral side in the transverse direction towards the medial side of the midsole.
• the horizontal tilting slits are no through slits, i.e. they do not extend completely in the transverse direction through the midsole, i.e. they do not extend completely from the medial side to the lateral side.
• the horizontal tilting slits extend in the transverse direction only partially through the midsole.
• the one or more horizontal tilting slits each have a depth which is 4% and 25%, in particular 5% and 1 2%, of a total width of the midsole at the position of the corresponding slit of the midsole.
• each horizontal tilting slit has a width, i.e. the distance between the midsole top portion being arranged above the corresponding horizontal tilting slit and the midsole base portion being arranged below the corresponding horizontal tilting slit which is 1 .5 mm or less, in particular 1 .0 mm or less.
• each horizontal tilting slit has a width which is between 0.3 mm to 1 .5 mm, in particular between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm.
• the ratio of the depth of the one or more horizontal tilting slits to the width of the one or more horizontal tilting slits is 5: 1 to 20: 1 , in particular 7: 1 to 1 6: 1 .
• the length of a horizontal tilting slit i.e. its extension in the longitudinal direction, is between 50 mm and 200 mm, in particular between 80 mm and 1 20 mm.
• the midsole further comprises one or more tiltable blocks, wherein each tiltable block is partially defined by a horizontal tilting slit (i.e. by one of the horizontal tilting slits of the midsole), in particular by a single horizontal tilting slit.
• a single, i.e. the same, horizontal tilting slit partially defines two or more tiltable blocks.
• Each of such tiltable blocks is typically arranged in the vertical direction above the corresponding horizontal tilting slit.
• each tiltable block is part of the corresponding midsole top portion.
• the corresponding midsole top portion consists of the corresponding tiltable blocks.
• Each tiltable block is typically tiltable with respect to the midsole base portion.
• the midsole comprises at least one tiltable block on the medial side and at least one tiltable block on the lateral side. In specific embodiments, the midsole comprises only a single tiltable block on the medial side and only a single tiltable block on the lateral side. 0 In some embodiments, each tiltable block is further defined by one or more sideward slits, wherein each sideward slit extends from the horizontal tilting slit to the top layer of the midsole. Typically, each sideward slit may merge with the horizontal tilting slit. Such sideward slits increase the flexibility of the tiltable block and thus increases the flexibility of the midsole.
• a corresponding tiltable block is defined, respectively delimited, by the horizontal tilting slit and one or two sideward slits.
• each sideward slit may only extend between the top layer and the horizontal tilting slit. Therefore, such sideward slits do not extend beyond the horizontal tilting slit, in particular not into the midsole base portion
• Each sideward slit may extend in the vertical direction, i.e. only in the vertical direction, respectively in parallel thereto, or may be inclined with respect to the longitudinal direction of the midsole.
• each sideward slit has a width which is 1 .5 mm or less, in particular0 1 .0 mm or less. In certain embodiments, each sideward slit has a width which is between 0.3 mm to 1 .5 mm, in particular between 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm.
• each of the sideward slits has a depth of 3 mm to 25 mm, in particular of 5 mm to 8 mm.
• the tiltable blocks have in the cross section along the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the transverse direction a trapezoid shape, in particular a shape of a rectangle or a parallelogram.
• each of the one or more horizontal tilting slits is spaced apart from the base layer of the midsole and/or the top layer of the midsole by at least 20%, in particular by at least 30%, in particular by at least 40%, of the thickness of the midsole.
• the thickness of0 the midsole is the distance between the top layer and the base layer in the vertical direction at the corresponding position.
• the midsole defines a plurality of recessed pockets which are open towards the top layer and wherein at least a some of the recessed pockets are in the longitudinal direction arranged one after another.
• the recessed pockets are arranged in the forefoot area and optionally
• the recessed pockets are separate recessed pockets. This means, each recessed pocket is separated and not connected with other recessed pockets.
• each of the separate recessed pockets is circumferentially delimited by wall portions, particularly vertically extending wall portions. These wall portions preferably completely delimit the recessed pockets in the plane defined by the transversal and the longitudinal direction.
• all vertically extending wall portions which define a given recessed pocket have the same height, i.e. extension in the vertical direction. However it may in certain embodiments be possible that the height of vertically extending wall portions which define different recessed pockets have the same or different heights.
• the midsole comprises, respectively defines, a central notch extending in the longitudinal direction through the midfoot area and optionally from the forefoot area through the midfoot area to the heel area.
• the central notch is typically essentially arranged in the center of the midsole, i.e. in the transverse direction the notch has essentially the same distance to the medial side and to the lateral side of the midsole.
• the central notch0 vertically protrudes the midsole, i.e. it may be considered as a through hole in the vertical direction.
• the central notch is horizontally circumferentially surrounded by the midsole.
• Embodiments with such a central notch provide for a higher flexibility of the midsole during lateral and medial movements, because tilting of the horizontal tilting slit is simplified.
• Particular embodiments with tiltable blocks as disclosed above and such a central notch are5 favorable, as the central notch increases the flexibility of the tiltable blocks.
• the central notch divides the midsole into a lateral portion and a medial portion.
• the lateral portion of the midsole comprises recessed pockets which are in the longitudinal direction arranged one after another and wherein the medial portion of the midsole comprises recessed pockets which are in the longitudinal
• the medial portion comprises a single row of recessed pockets being in the longitudinal direction arranged one after another and the lateral portion comprises a single row of recessed pockets being in the longitudinal direction arranged one after another.
• the invention in a second aspect, relates to a shoe sole, in particular a shoe solefor a gymnastic or cross-fit shoe, which comprises a midsole as described herein, in particular with respect to the first aspect of the invention.
• the shoe sole further comprises an elastic plate being arranged on the top layer of the midsole.
• the elastic plate may optionally comprise a plurality of protrusions which are inserted5 into the recessed pockets of the midsole.
• the plate preferably comprises a plate body, e.g. a flat and/or even plate body from which the protrusions protrude.
• the elastic plate may be directly in contact with the midsole and it may in the vertical direction be arranged above the midsole.
• the elastic plate is arranged in the operative, i.e. worn, state closer to the wearer's foot than the midsole.
• the elastic plate may be a rigid elastic plate.
• the elastic plate may be incompressible.
• an elastic plate is a plate which when being bent, i.e. being biased, it returns into its original shape.
• each protrusion engages into a corresponding recessed pocket of the midsole. It has been observed that in such embodiments, the elastic recessed pocket and the elastic plate both deform upon landing, which provide for a cushioning effect. Additionally,5 the protrusion of the elastic plate in the correspondingly deformed recessed pocket is elastically deformed, i.e. biased. Upon push off, the protrusion returns to its original state which provide a propelling effect and thus enables an efficient force transmission.
• the elastic plate may be integrally formed, i.e. it may be single-pieced.
• each protrusion forms a bulge forming a convexity towards the
• the elastic plate comprises several bulges which are transversally or longitudinally offset to each other.
• an even section is a section of the elastic plate, which in particular along the longitudinal direction, does not comprise a bulge but extends evenly. In particular, such an even section may be essentially parallel to the midsole top layer or the midsole base layer. Such sections increase the stability upon landing.
• the elastic plate may typically have an essentially constant thickness.
• the bulge is typically not significantly thicker than the rest of the plate.
• the elastic plate may have at each of the bulges a thickness which is at most 3x, in particular at most 2x, in particular0 at most 1 ,5x the thickness in other areas of the plate.
• the bulge may in some embodiments be curved, and in particular be bell shaped. In other embodiments, the bulge may have in the cross section along the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the transverse direction of the sole have a U-shape, a V-shape or trapezoidal shape.
• the elastic plate extends along at least 50%, in particular along at least 75%, in particular along at least 85%, in particular along at least 95% or even along 100%
• the elastic plate extends along at least 50%, in particular along at least 75%, in particular along at least 85%, in particular along at least 95% or even along 100% of the total length, i.e. the extension along the longitudinal direction, of the midsole.
• the elastic plate has a thickness between 0.5 mm and 3.0 mm, in0 particular between 0.9 mm and 1 .2 mm.
• one or more of the protrusions are inserted into the central notch and preferably through the central notch.
• the protrusions may along the longitudinal direction be arranged one after another.
• the protrusions may be aligned with the base layer, i.e. in the vertical direction, thereby avoiding that the protrusion protrudes from the base layer of the midsole.
• Such embodiments have the advantage that both the lateral and medial stability is increased.
• the protrusions being inserted into the slit may each form a bulge as described in the embodiments above, which in particular forms a convexity towards the midsole.
• a bulge is configured such that during running it is0 elastically compressed in a vertical direction of the sole upon landing and that it returns to its original shape upon push off. It is understood that a "notch" has typically a smaller width than a "slit” as used herein.
• the elastic plate has a greater hardness than the midsole. In some embodiments, the hardness of the elastic plate is between 60 Shore A and 100 Shore D, in particular between 70 Shore A to 100 Shore D.
• the elastic plate may for example be made from a thermoplastic polyurethane, polyolefins, in
• the elastic plate may comprise reinforcement fibers for increasing the rigidity. These may for example be selected from linen, basalt, bamboo, hemp, cellulose, glass and carbon fibers as well as mixtures thereof.
• a third aspect of the invention relates to a shoe, in particular a gymnastic or cross-fit shoe, which comprises a midsole according to any of the embodiments as described herein, in particular with respect to the first aspect of the invention, or, which comprises a shoe sole according to any of the embodiments as described herein, in particular with respect to the second aspect of the invention.
• the shoe further comprises an upper being attached to the5 midsole.
• the upper is preferably a textile upper, such a knitted upper or a non-woven upper.
• such an upper comprises a foot arch, i.e. the part of the upper which in the worn state extends over the foot arch of the wearer.
• the shoe further comprises a support mechanism which is connected to the midsole top portion or to several or all of the midsole top portions, which are arranged0 in the vertical direction above the one or more horizontal tilting slits of the midsole. Furthermore, the support mechanism extends over the foot arch of the upper.
• the support mechanism is configured to support tilting of the midsole top portion with respect to the midsole base portion.
• the support mechanism is configured such that laterally or medially forces acting on the upper are at least partially transmitted to the midsole top portion,5 respectively the multiple midsole top portions.
• a force acting towards the medial side may induce a pulling effect on the midsole top portion on the lateral side. Thereby, tilting is facilitated.
• the support mechanism comprises or consists of a plurality of straps.
• Such straps may for example each extend from a central region of the foot arch of the upper
• Fig. 1 a side view on the lateral side of a midsole according to an embodiment of the invention
• Fig. 2 a perspective view on a midsole according to another embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 3 an exploded view of a shoe sole according to an embodiment of the invention
• Fig. 4 a perspective view of an elastic plate as it may be comprised in a shoe sole according to the invention; 0 Fig. 5 a side view on the lateral side of the elastic plate of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 a front view of the elastic plate of Fig. 4 and 5;
• Fig. 7 a side view on the lateral side of a shoe sole according to another embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 8 a front view of the shoe sole of Fig. 7;
• Fig. 9 a schematic representation of a midsole being tilted about a horizontal tilting slit on the lateral side of the midsole;
• Fig. 10 a schematic representation of a shoe according to an embodiment of the invention.
• Exemplary embodiments 0 Fig. 1 shows midsole 10 which can be used in a sports shoe.
• Midsole 10 comprises heel area HA, forefoot area FA and midfoot area MA which is arranged between heel area HA and forefoot area FA.
• midsole 1 0 comprises heel edge 103 and midsole tip 104.
• the longitudinal direction LO of midsole 10 runs from heel edge 1 03 to midsole tip 104.
• Midsole 1 0 further comprises top layer 1 01 and thereto oppositely arranged base layer 102.
• Top layer 1 01 and base layer 102 may for example generally define the vertical delimitation of midsole 1 0.
• the vertical direction V extends from base layer 102 to top layer 101 and is essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction LO.
• Fig. 1 shows the lateral side of midsole 10.
• Midsole 10 further comprises horizontal tilting slit 105 being arranged in midfoot area MA, which as can be seen extends in the longitudinal direction LO and also against transverse0 direction TR of midsole 10, i.e. it is arranged in a horizontal plane of midsole 10. It is understood that such a horizontal plane is defined by the longitudinal direction LO and the transverse direction TR.
• Horizontal tilting slit 105 horizontally divides midsole 10 in midsole top portion 106 which is the part of the midsole being in the vertical direction V arranged above horizontal tilting slit 105 and into midsole base portion 107 which is the part of the midsole being in the vertical direction V arranged below horizontal tilting slit 105.
• midsole top portion 106 and midsole base portion 107 are in the vertical direction V arranged above each other and are spaced apart from one another by horizontal tilting slit 1 05.
• Horizontal tilting slit 105 is configured such that midsole top portion 1 06 can be tilted with respect to midsole base portion 107.
• Horizontal tilting slit 105 allows midsole top portion 106 to be tilted about a horizontal tilting axis which extends in the longitudinal direction LO.
• Midsole 10 further comprises, respectively defines, sideward slits 1 1 2, 1 1 3, 1 14 and 1 1 5. These slits are connected to horizontal tilting slit 105. However, in contrast to horizontal tilting slit 10, which may in general preferably extend essentially in parallel to midsole top layer 101 and/or to midsole base layer 102, sideward slits 1 1 2, 1 1 3, 1 14 and 1 1 5 each extend from horizontal tilting slit 105 to top layer 101 . Thus, each sideward slit has also a vertical component, i.e. it extends also in vertical direction V.
• Midsole 10 further comprises tiltable blocks 108, 109, 1 W and 1 1 1 which are defined againstthevertical direction V by horizontal tilting slit 105 and on the sides by one or more sideward slits 1 1 2, 1 1 3, 1 14 and 1 1 5.
• tiltable block 108 is defined by horizontal tilting slit 105 and by sideward slits 1 1 2 and 1 1 3.
• Tiltable block 1 10 is defined horizontal tilting slit 105 and by sideward slits 1 14 and 1 1 5.
• Tiltable block 1 1 1 is defined by horizontal tilting slit 105 and by sideward slit 1 5.
• Each tiltable block is tiltable, in particular tiltable with respect to midsole base portion 1 07.
• the tiltable block form together the midsole top portion 106.Tilta ble blocks 1 10 and 109 have a trapezoidal shape.
• Fig. 2 depicts a midsole 10 according to another embodiment of the invention.
• midsole 10 in Fig. 2 comprises horizontal titling slit 105.
• midsole 10 defines recessed pockets 1 1 6, 1 1 7, 1 18, 1 1 9 and 1 20, which each are open towards top layer 101 .
• recessed pockets 1 1 7 and 1 18 are in the longitudinal direction arranged behind one another and also recessed pockets 1 1 9 and 1 20 are in the longitudinal direction arranged one after another. These recessed pockets are arranged in the forefoot area and in the midfoot area.
• Midsole 10 further defines, central notch 1 21 which is in a plane defined by the longitudinal direction LO and the transverse direction TR completely circumferentially delimited by midsole 1 0. Central notch 1 21 completely penetrates through
• central notch 1 21 divides some of the recessed pockets into lateral sided recessed pockets 1 1 7 and 1 18 and medial sided recessed pockets 1 1 9 and 1 20.
• Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of a shoe sole 1 according to an embodiment of the invention.
• shoe sole 1 comprises not only midsole 10, which may for example be0 the midsole shown in Fig. 2 or any other midsole as described herein, but additionally also outsole 30 which covers at least parts of the base layer 102 of midsole 10 base layer of midsole 10.
• midsole 10 comprises elastic plate 20 which may be an elastic and incompressible plate. Elastic plate 20 is arranged on top layer 101 of midsole 1 0 and in particular directly on top layer 101 .
• Elastic plate 20 comprises protrusions, such as protrusion 201 and 204 which are inserted into the recessed pockets of midsole 1 0.
• protrusion 201 is inserted into recessed pocket 1 1 7 which is arranged in the lateral portion of midsole 10 and protrusion 204 is inserted into recessed pocket 1 20 which is arranged in the medial portion of midsole 1 0.
• the protrusions form a bulge forming a convexity towards midsole 10, respectively in0 general towards base layer 102 of midsole 10.
• Shoe sole 1 also comprises insole 40, which is in the vertical direction V arranged on elastic plate 20.
• elastic plate 20 is arranged between midsole 10 and insole 40.
• Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of elastic plate 20 as it may be used in a shoe sole 1 according to any of the embodiments described herein.
• Elastic plate 20 comprises protrusions 201 , 202, 203 and 204.
• a least the protrusions being inserted into recessed pockets of midsole 1 0 have a shape which corresponds to the shape of the recessed pocket.
• the corresponding protrusion generally fits into the recessed pocket in which it is inserted and may contact the midsole defining the recessed pockets.
• the protrusions form a
• Fig. 5 shows a side view on the lateral side of elastic plate 20 shown in Fig. 4.
• elastic plate 20 does not only comprise protrusions 201 , 202, 203 and 204 which are inserted into recessed pockets, but also protrusions 205 and 206, which are inserted into central notch 1 21 of midsole 1 0 (cf. Fig. 7 and 8).
• protrusions 205 and 206 being0 inserted into central notch 1 21 are in the longitudinal direction LO arranged one after the other, i.e. behind each other.
• Fig. 6 shows a front view of elastic plate 20 in which it can be seen that protrusions 201 and 204, which are inserted into recessed pockets of midsole 10, sandwich protrusion 205 which is inserted into central notch 1 21 , i.e. protrusion 205 is in the transverse direction arranged5 between protrusion 201 and 204. Furthermore, the protrusions are in the transverse direction spaced apart from each other. All of these protrusions each form a bulge forming a convexity.
• Fig. 7 shows a side view of a shoe sole 1 according to another embodiment of the invention.
• Shoe sole 1 comprises midsole 10 which may for example be a midsole as shown in Fig. 2. It can be seen that protrusions 205 and 206, which are inserted into central notch 1 21 of0 midsole 10 (see for example Fig. 2), penetrate through central notch 1 21 . However, in this and optionally also in any other embodiment as described herein, the protrusion(s) being inserted into central notch 1 21 and penetrating through central notch 1 21 are aligned with base layer 102, i.e. they do not protrudefrom midsole 10, thereby generating an even contact surface for contacting the ground.
• central notch penetrates midsole 1 0,5 protrusions 205 and 206 are visible from the bottom side, i.e. when viewed onto base layer 1 02.
• horizontal tilting slit 105 is shown, which divides midsole 10 into a midsole top portion 1 06 and midsole base portion 107 which are arranged on top of each other.
• Fig. 8 shows a front view of shoe sole 1 shown in Fig. 7. Also in this figure it can be seen that protrusions 205 and 206 extend through the central notch and are aligned with base layer
• protrusions 205 and 206 and also base layer 102 are covered by portions of outsole 4.
• Fig. 9 shows schematically midsole 10 in the worn state having lateral sided horizontal tilting slit 105 and medial sided horizontal tilting slit 105'.
• the left foot of the wearer is angled with respect to the wearers leg and the wearer's ankle conducts an inversion0 movement, for example during a split. Due to such a movement, horizontal tilting slit 105 allows tilting of midsole top portion being arranged in the vertical direction above horizontal tilting slit 1 05 with respect to midsole base portion 107 being arranged below horizontal tilting slit 1 07. Thereby, the distance and/or the angle between midsole top portion 1 06 and midsole base portion 107 is increased.
• the horizontal tilting slit is configured such thatthe midsole top portion is tiltable with respect to midsole base portion about a tilting axis extending in the longitudinal direction LO, i.e. and axis extending towards the viewer.
• midsole base portion 107 remains essentially fully in contact with the ground.
• Horizontal tilting slit 105 has a depth D, which extends against the transverse direction from the lateral side towards the medial side of midsole 10, but does not fully penetrate midsole0 1 0.
• Fig. 10 shows schematically shoe 6 comprising midsole 1 0, which may for example be part of a shoe sole as described herein.
• Midsole 10 comprises lateral sided horizontal tilting slit 1 05.
• Shoe 6 further comprises upper 7 and support mechanism 8.
• Support mechanism 8 is connected to midsole top portion 106 above horizontal tilting slit 105 and extends over the 5 foot arch of upper 7. The support mechanism 8 is configured to support tilting of the midsole top portion with respect to the midsole base portion.
• support mechanism 8 consists of two support straps which allow to support tilting of the midsole top portion. As can be imagined, if a wearer of such a shoe performs the splits as it is for example illustrated in Fig. 9, support mechanism 8 facilitates tilting of midsole top portion 1 06 with respect to0 midsole base portion 107.

Landscapes

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

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=82258173

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Citations (1)

Family Cites Families (5)

• 2023
  • 2023-04-04 EP EP23716872.9A patent/EP4507534B1/de active Active
  • 2023-04-04 US US18/854,875 patent/US20250302148A1/en active Pending
  • 2023-04-04 WO PCT/EP2023/058826 patent/WO2023198525A1/en not_active Ceased

Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events