Classifications

• • 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
  • A43B13/186—Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot
• • 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
  • 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
  • A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
  • A43B7/14—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts
  • A43B7/1405—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form
  • A43B7/1415—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with foot-supporting parts with pads or holes on one or more locations, or having an anatomical or curved form characterised by the location under the foot
• • 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
  • A43B13/20—Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas
  • A43B13/206—Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas provided with tubes or pipes or tubular shaped cushioning members

Definitions

• the present invention relates to the field of shoe technology, in particular to a sole for a running shoe.
• cushioning structures in the forefoot can have negative effects. While cushioning structures in the forefoot can provide shock absorption upon impact, the runner must compensate for the elasticity of the forefoot during push-off, which occurs almost entirely through the forefoot. overcoming damping structures, resulting in a loss of force that cannot be used for the push-off itself.
• a sole which, on the one hand, can dampen forces acting horizontally on the sole and the shoe during running, and on the other hand, exhibits no or at least less material fatigue even after prolonged use.
• the occurrence of a "swimming effect" is avoided.
• the damping effect in the heel area is increased compared to the prior art, while a lower damping effect is provided in the forefoot area compared to the heel area, so that significantly less force is lost during push-off and this force is practically entirely available for the push-off process.
• a sole for a running shoe with an elastic midsole has a base area that bounds the midsole opposite to its vertical direction and a surface that bounds the midsole vertically. It is understood that, during running (i.e., in its operational state), the base area faces the ground and the surface area faces the wearer's foot, i.e., the insole.
• the midsole is divided into a heel area, a midfoot area, and a forefoot area. Those skilled in the art understand that these areas are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction (i.e., in the direction of running).
• the midsole is arranged in a specific configuration, particularly in the midfoot area between the heel and forefoot.
• each channel has an elongated cross-sectional contour along a plane extending longitudinally and perpendicular to the transverse direction.
• Each channel has a principal longitudinal axis extending longitudinally along the plane of the midsole and perpendicular to the transverse direction. The acute angle between the principal longitudinal axis and the base of at least one channel located in the heel area is greater than the acute angle between the base and the principal longitudinal axis of at least one channel located in the midfoot and/or forefoot area.
• the elongated contour of the channel combined with the fact that the acute angle between the base and the main longitudinal axis of at least one channel in the heel area is larger than in a channel in the midfoot and/or forefoot area, results in significantly increased cushioning in the heel area.
• the smaller acute angle between the base and the main longitudinal axis in the forefoot and/or midfoot area results in less cushioning, meaning that during push-off, which occurs almost entirely via the forefoot and optionally the midfoot, very little energy is lost through cushioning.
• the increased acute angle of the channel(s) in the heel area not only provides vertical cushioning but also significant horizontal cushioning of the forces acting horizontally during running.
• all channels in the heel area of the midsole have a larger acute angle between the base surface and its respective main longitudinal axis than all channels in the forefoot area and/or in the midfoot area.
• the characteristic of an acute angle between the longitudinal axis of a channel and the base of the midsole can also be replaced by the obtuse angle between the longitudinal axis of the respective channel and the perpendicular to the channel passing through its center.
• the perpendicular to the channel accordingly passes through the center of the channel and is perpendicular to the base of the midsole, or intersects it substantially at an angle of 90°.
• the point of intersection can be defined by the tangent to the midsole at the point where the midsole intersects the perpendicular to the channel.
• the obtuse angle between the longitudinal axis and the perpendicular to the respective channel of at least one channel located in the heel area is greater than the obtuse angle between the perpendicular to the respective channel and the longitudinal axis of at least one channel located in the midfoot and/or forefoot area.
• the feature of the acute angle between the longitudinal principal axis of a channel and the base of the middle insole can be replaced by the feature of the obtuse angle between the longitudinal principal axis of the respective channel and the channel perpendicular.
• an obtuse angle lies between 90° and 180° and an acute angle lies between 0° and 90°.
• One aspect of the invention therefore relates to a sole for a running shoe with an elastic midsole.
• a sole for a running shoe with an elastic midsole.
• Such a sole has a base area that bounds the midsole opposite to the vertical direction of the midsole and a surface that bounds the midsole in the vertical direction.
• the midsole is divided into a heel area, a midfoot area, and a forefoot area.
• the midsole also has several channels extending transversely and longitudinally arranged one behind the other. These are preferably open laterally, i.e., on the lateral and medial sides of the midsole.
• the channels each have a longitudinal cross-sectional plane.
• the midsole has an elongated contour perpendicular to the transverse direction of the midsole.
• Each channel has a longitudinal axis extending along the cross-sectional plane in the longitudinal direction and a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the transverse direction.
• the obtuse angle between the longitudinal axis and the respective perpendicular of at least one channel located in the heel area is greater than the obtuse angle between the respective perpendicular and the longitudinal axis of at least one channel located in the midfoot and/or forefoot area.
• the perpendicular of a channel passes through its center point and is perpendicular to the base of the midsole.
• the center point of the channel generally lies on the longitudinal axis.
• the term "elongated contour” means that the channel extends further in cross-section along the aforementioned cross-sectional plane in one direction than in another.
• a channel with an "elongated contour” can be described as slot-shaped.
• a person skilled in the art understands a slot-shaped channel to be one which, in cross-section along the cross-sectional plane in the longitudinal direction of the midsole and perpendicular to the transverse direction of the midsole, has an elongated, narrow contour and therefore provides an elongated, narrow opening in the midsole.
• the extent of such a channel along one spatial direction is greater than along a different spatial direction within the same spatial plane.
• a channel generally has opposing channel walls that define the opening of the channel.
• the direct distance between the channel walls in cross-section along the aforementioned cross-sectional plane is greater in a first direction than in another spatial direction within the same spatial plane, particularly than in a direction perpendicular to the first direction.
• the main longitudinal axis of a channel runs parallel to its longitudinal direction, i.e., the direction in which the channel extends, and in cross-section follows the aforementioned cross-sectional plane through the center of the channel.
• the main longitudinal axis lies in the V,L plane of the midsole; that is, it does not run transversely across the midsole, but rather longitudinally and/or vertically across it.
• the main longitudinal axis passes through the points on the channel walls that are furthest apart in cross-section along the aforementioned cross-sectional plane. Therefore, the channel walls can be further apart along the main longitudinal axis than along any other axis in the V,L plane of the corresponding channel.
• the longitudinal principal axis of a canal intersects the base, or a tangent at the intersection of the longitudinal principal axis and the base, at an acute angle.
• the channels in particular all channels of the midsole, run in cross-section along the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the transverse direction of the midsole, rising vertically from their respective end nearest to the heel edge to their respective end nearest to the toe of the sole, or parallel to the longitudinal direction.
• none of the channels of the midsole run in cross-section along the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the transverse direction of the midsole, descending vertically from their respective end nearest to the heel edge to their respective end nearest to the toe of the sole.
• the main longitudinal axis of the respective channels, in particular of all channels of the midsole therefore rises vertically from the heel edge to the toe of the sole or is parallel to the longitudinal direction.
• the main longitudinal axis of the respective channels does not descend vertically from the heel edge to the toe of the sole.
• the longitudinal direction L of the sole is described by an axis from the heel area to the forefoot area and thus extends along the longitudinal axis of the sole.
• the transverse direction Q of the sole runs transversely to the longitudinal axis and substantially parallel to the underside of the sole, or substantially parallel to the ground. Thus, the transverse direction runs along a transverse axis of the midsole.
• the vertical direction V in the context of the present invention, denotes a direction from the underside of the sole towards the insole, or, in the operational state, towards the foot of the wearer, and thus runs along a vertical axis of the sole or midsole.
• the lateral side of the sole is the outer boundary of the sole, which, in the worn state, rests against the outer instep of the wearer's foot.
• the medial side of the sole or midsole denotes the outer inner boundary of the sole, which is located opposite the lateral side.
• the forefoot area extends from the toe of the sole against the longitudinal direction to 30-45% of the total length of the midsole.
• the heel area for example, extends from the edge of the heel to 20-30% of the total length of the midsole.
• the midfoot area lies directly between the heel and forefoot areas, with its longitudinal length comprising the remaining portion of the total length, specifically 15-50%.
• the acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base surface is equal to the angle between the main longitudinal axis and the respective tangent to the base surface.
• the intersection of the longitudinal principal axis and the base is designated. It should be noted that the acute angle of a canal, in which the longitudinal principal axis of the canal does not intersect the base, can be defined at the intersection of the longitudinal principal axis with the extending tangent at the point of contact between the base and the heel edge on the base.
• Elastic, and in particular soft-elastic, materials for soles are well known to those skilled in the art.
• materials with a Young's modulus of approximately 0.0001 to 0.2 GPa, particularly 0.001 to 0.1 GPa can be used, which, within the meaning of the present invention, can be considered elastic or soft-elastic materials.
• such materials can include polymer foams.
• Polyurethane in particular thermoplastic polyolefins, polyolefin block polymers, polyvinyl acetates, in particular EVA, polyurethane (TPU) or expanded thermoplastic polyurethane (eTPU), polyamides, e.g., PA-11, PA-12, nylon, polyether block amide ( PEBAX® ), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or mixtures thereof, can be used as elastic or soft-elastic materials.
• TPU polyurethane
• eTPU expanded thermoplastic polyurethane
• polyamides e.g., PA-11, PA-12, nylon, polyether block amide ( PEBAX® ), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), or mixtures thereof.
• PEBAX® polyether block amide
• PET polyethylene terephthalate
• PBT polybutylene terephthalate
• the channels in the lateral region of the midsole are completely enclosed by the soft, elastic midsole, with the exception of any lateral and/or medial openings.
• the channels are completely enclosed by the midsole in cross-section along a cross-sectional plane in the longitudinal direction (L) of the midsole and perpendicular to the transverse direction (Q) of the midsole.
• the channel walls in the lateral region of the midsole can therefore be formed entirely by the midsole.
• the channels in the side view of the sole can thus be described as transverse openings in an otherwise preferably one-piece midsole.
• the midsole is not segmented, i.e., it is segmentation-free.
• the midsole is generally more durable compared to a segmented midsole. It is significantly more stable. Furthermore, fatigue of the soft, elastic midsole over the lifespan of the sole or running shoe is prevented or at least significantly reduced. This allows the beneficial cushioning effect of the midsole to be maintained consistently over a long period.
• a channel is understood to be a recess, which is typically tubular in shape.
• a channel is wholly or partially bounded by its channel walls, except at the lateral openings.
• the channels are empty.
• the channels can be open and continuous, i.e., a channel is preferably not a blind hole.
• a channel, and in particular all channels of the midsole extend continuously from the lateral side of the midsole to the medial side of the midsole.
• the channels can run substantially parallel to one another.
• the total proportion of the open area of the midsole i.e., the total proportion of the lateral areas of the channel openings
• the channels are arranged exclusively in the longitudinal direction, i.e., from the heel edge to the toe of the sole, one after the other. This does not preclude the possibility that some or even all channels may be arranged offset from each other in the vertical direction. Preferably, no channels are arranged wholly or partially one above the other in the vertical direction.
• the channels are arranged longitudinally from the heel edge to the toe of the sole, one behind the other, and vertically, at least two or more channels are offset from each other.
• the channels are arranged in the lateral and/or medial region of the midsole in at least a first and a second horizontal plane.
• the first and second horizontal planes are vertically offset from each other. Due to the arrangement of the channels in By incorporating at least a first and a second horizontal plane, a significant improvement in cushioning is achieved. Furthermore, the cushioning is no longer limited to individual segments of the sole, but extends essentially across the entire midsole.
• the deformability of the channels can include, for example, the vertical merging of the channel walls and/or the shearing of the channel in the longitudinal direction.
• the upper and lower channel walls can come into contact under the influence of the forces occurring during operation, so that the corresponding channel is deformed to the point of lateral closure.
• the elastic midsole is formed in one piece.
• the elastic midsole thus preferably consists of a single material and is therefore more stable than a midsole consisting of several components, in particular components glued or welded together.
• the channels have lateral openings in the lateral region of the midsole.
• the channels are deformable vertically and/or horizontally in the longitudinal direction under the influence of forces acting vertically and/or longitudinally during walking, until the lateral openings are closed.
• the upper and lower canal walls can touch under the influence of the forces occurring during running.
• the acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base surface decreases from a channel in the heel area, particularly the channel closest to the heel edge of the midsole, to a channel in the midfoot area and/or to a channel in the forefoot area, particularly the channel closest to the toe of the sole.
• the acute angle from the channel closest to the heel edge of the midsole to the channel closest to the toe of the sole can decrease continuously, at least over a portion of the length of the sole or over the entire length of the sole.
• the acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base surface decreases continuously from channel to channel from the heel edge to the midfoot area. In the forefoot area, the acute angle can be consistently 0°.
• the main longitudinal axis of the channels in the forefoot area can be parallel to the base surface. This causes the channels to slope downwards from the heel edge towards the toe of the sole when viewed from channel to channel.
• This design achieves increased cushioning in the heel area, while the smaller acute angles between the base and the main longitudinal axis in the forefoot and/or midfoot area result in less cushioning. This minimizes energy loss during push-off.
• the larger the acute angle between the main longitudinal axis of a channel and the base the greater the cushioning effect. Therefore, it is advantageous for the channel closest to the heel edge to have the largest acute angle, as this is where the required cushioning is greatest. The further a channel is positioned longitudinally towards the toe of the sole, the lower the required cushioning effect, thus requiring a smaller acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base.
• the above embodiment can be described such that the obtuse angle between the main longitudinal axis and the perpendicular of the respective channel decreases from a channel in the heel area, in particular the channel closest to the heel edge of the midsole, to a channel in the midfoot area and/or to a channel in the forefoot area, in particular the channel closest to the toe of the sole.
• the obtuse angle from the channel closest to the heel edge of the midsole to the channel closest to the toe of the sole can decrease continuously, at least over a partial longitudinal section of the sole or over the entire longitudinal length of the sole.
• the acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base of each channel increases from channel to channel in the longitudinal direction towards the toe of the sole, starting with the channel closest to the heel edge of the midsole, and then decreases from channel to channel in the longitudinal direction towards the toe of the sole.
• the acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base of each channel can increase continuously from channel to channel, starting with the channel closest to the heel edge of the midsole, up to a steeper channel located further longitudinally towards the toe of the sole. This steeper channel represents the midsole channel with the largest acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base of the channel. From there, the angle then decreases from channel to channel in the longitudinal direction towards the toe of the sole.
• the midsole thus has channels in the heel area, with the channel closest to the heel edge exhibiting the smallest acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base of all channels in the heel area.
• the corresponding acute angle then increases, for example, continuously, along the two channels that follow the toe of the sole in the longitudinal direction.
• the midfoot area can then connect directly to these channels, with the acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base of the heel being closest to the heel edge.
• the arranged channel in the midfoot area is smaller than the corresponding acute angle of at least one, at least two or all channels in the heel area.
• the above embodiment can be described such that the obtuse angle between the longitudinal main axis and the channel perpendicular of each channel first increases from channel to channel in the longitudinal direction towards the tip of the sole, starting with the channel closest to the heel edge of the midsole, and then decreases from channel to channel in the longitudinal direction towards the tip of the sole.
• the channel of the midsole which, of all channels of the midsole, has the largest acute angle between its main longitudinal axis and the base surface, or the largest obtuse angle between its main longitudinal axis and its
• the channel's vertical axis is therefore preferably located in the heel area and is referred to as a steep channel.
• the steep channel is typically arranged from the heel edge in the longitudinal direction towards the toe of the sole at 15% to 30%, preferably 20% to 30%, in particular 25% to 30%, of the total length of the sole or midsole.
• the steep channel i.e., the channel of the midsole which has the largest acute angle between its main longitudinal axis and the base surface, or the largest obtuse angle between its main longitudinal axis and its channel perpendicular, of all the channels of the midsole, can in some embodiments be the third channel of the midsole in the longitudinal direction from the heel edge.
• the acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base of the steep channel is preferably between 35° and 85°, particularly between 40° and 75°.
• the obtuse angle between the main longitudinal axis and the perpendicular of the steep channel can be between 125° and 170°, particularly between 125° and 165°, preferably between 155° and 165°. Due to the relatively large angle of the steep channel, good vertical cushioning is achieved in this area of the midsole, as well as significant horizontal cushioning.
• the acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base of at least one channel arranged in the forefoot region, in particular of all channels arranged in the forefoot region is between 0° and 15°, in particular 0° and 5°, and in particular 0° and 2°.
• An angle of 0° means that the main longitudinal axis of the channel and the base are substantially parallel to each other. In the case of a curved base, this parallelism refers to a tangent adjacent to the base, which is The vertical direction is located below the channel on the base surface.
• the obtuse angle between the main longitudinal axis and the respective perpendicular of at least one channel arranged in the forefoot region, and in particular between all of the channels arranged in the forefoot region is between 90° and 100°, and in particular between 90° and 95°.
• An angle of 90° means that the main longitudinal axis of the channel and the base surface are substantially parallel to each other. In the case of a curved base surface, this parallelism refers to a tangent to the base surface that lies vertically below the channel.
• the longitudinal principal axis of at least one channel arranged in the forefoot area is arranged substantially parallel to the base surface.
• each channel has a principal lateral axis.
• This principal lateral axis is typically perpendicular to the respective principal longitudinal axis of the channel.
• the height, i.e., the direct distance between the channel walls, along the principal lateral axis of a channel located in the forefoot is smaller than the width along the principal lateral axis of a channel located in the midfoot and/or heel. This results in a high level of cushioning in the heel area. Simultaneously, the cushioning effect in the forefoot area is significantly lower, thus reducing energy loss during push-off.
• the acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base of a channel arranged in the heel area, in particular of all channels arranged in the heel area is between 5° and 85°, more specifically between 35° and 85°, preferably between 40° and 75°.
• the relatively large angle not only achieves good vertical cushioning but also significant horizontal cushioning, since the channels can be closed by the horizontal forces acting during running, in particular by contact between the channel walls.
• the obtuse angle between the main longitudinal axis and the respective perpendicular of a channel arranged in the heel area, and in particular of all channels arranged in the heel area is between 110° and 175°, more specifically between 125° and 170°, and preferably between 125° and 165°. This relatively large angle not only achieves good vertical cushioning but also significant horizontal cushioning, as the channels can be closed by the horizontal forces acting during running, particularly by contact between the channel walls.
• the acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base surface, or the obtuse angle between the main longitudinal axis and the respective channel perpendicular decreases continuously from the channel closest to the heel edge of the midsole towards the tip of the sole in the heel area or exclusively in the heel area.
• the acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base of a channel arranged in the midfoot region is between 0° and 35°, preferably between 0° and 25°.
• the midfoot region represents an intermediate area where, on the one hand, a certain damping effect is still present upon impact. While sufficient cushioning is required, the damping effect must not be too great, as the anterior part of the midfoot, viewed longitudinally towards the toe of the sole, is already used for pushing off the ground.
• a particularly preferred angle is greater than 0° between the main longitudinal axis and the base of a channel directly adjacent to a channel in the heel area, for example, between 10° and 35° or 10° and 25°.
• the acute angle between the main longitudinal axis and the base of the channel in the midfoot area closest to the heel edge of the midsole decreases continuously towards the toe of the sole in the heel area.
• the obtuse angle between the main longitudinal axis and the respective perpendicular of a channel arranged in the midfoot area is between 90° and 120°, preferably between 90° and 115°.
• the channels on the lateral and/or medial side of the midsole each have lateral openings. These openings can close, and in particular close completely, due to the forces generated during running, by the channel walls coming into contact.
• the channels located in the heel area, the midfoot area, and/or the forefoot area can be designed to completely close the lateral openings due to the forces generated during running.
• the forces generated during running are typically due to the weight of the wearer, which can be, for example, between 40 and 120 kg, and in particular between 50 and 100 kg.
• the channels are designed in such a way that, when completely closed, especially when the side openings are completely closed, the channels assume an S-shape.
• the channels each have a rectangular, oval, pentagonal, hexagonal, and/or teardrop-shaped, particularly lanceolate, contour in cross-section along the cross-sectional plane in the longitudinal direction of the midsole and perpendicular to the transverse direction of the midsole. It is also possible for one or more channels of the midsole to have a different contour than other channels of the midsole. In particular, the midsole can have up to five channels with different contours.
• a teardrop-shaped contour is defined as a shape that essentially consists of an isosceles triangle and an adjoining circular segment. Those skilled in the art understand that these contours also include shapes with rounded corners, i.e., for example, a rectangle with rounded corners.
• a teardrop-shaped, particularly lanceolate, contour is especially preferred, particularly when the portion of the circular segment of the teardrop shape is oriented towards the base. This allows for particularly high horizontal damping of forces acting in a horizontal direction during walking. Furthermore, a teardrop-shaped, and especially a lanceolate, contour allows for particularly controlled closure of the channels, thus preventing a swimming effect. This is because channels with a teardrop-shaped contour are designed to assume an S-shape when closed. It follows, therefore, that channels with a teardrop-shaped contour are primarily used in the heel area. In the forefoot and/or midfoot area, however, channels with a different contour, particularly a rectangular, pentagonal, and/or hexagonal contour, may be used.
• the channels each have a width of 0.3 cm to 3 cm, preferably 0.5 cm to 2 cm, along the main longitudinal axis.
• the width describes the distance between the channel walls along the main longitudinal axis and thus, in some embodiments, the greatest extent in the cross-sectional plane along the longitudinal direction and transversely to the transverse direction of the base.
• the channels have a height of 0.3 cm to 1.5 cm, preferably 0.3 cm to 1 cm, along the main lateral axis.
• the steep channel along the main longitudinal axis has a width that is greater than the width along the respective main longitudinal axis of each other channel of the midsole.
• the steep channel along the main lateral axis has a height that is greater than the height along the respective main lateral axis of each other channel of the midsole.
• the vertical distance between at least one, and in particular a single, channel in the heel area and the surface of the midsole is smaller than that of another channel in the heel area and/or than that of another channel in the midsole. It has been shown that a smaller vertical distance in a channel in the heel area results in improved cushioning than a larger vertical distance. The closer the channel is to the surface, i.e., the smaller the corresponding vertical distance, the better the cushioning effect. Such embodiments achieve an ideal compromise between good cushioning and a sole that still allows for a powerful push-off with minimal energy loss.
• the vertical distance between a channel and the midsole surface refers to the shortest distance along the vertical direction of the sole between a channel, or rather its channel wall, and the midsole surface. Typically, this vertical distance therefore corresponds to the minimum thickness of the midsole in the vertical direction between the respective channel and the midsole surface.
• the vertical distance of that channel to the midsole surface is larger than in the other channel.
• the channel with the smaller vertical distance to the midsole surface is vertically offset from the other channel(s).
• the other channels can be described as offset against the vertical direction from the channel with the smaller vertical distance to the midsole surface.
• the vertical distance between the channels in the heel area and, optionally, in the midfoot area, particularly exclusively in the heel area decreases from channel to channel in the longitudinal direction towards the toe of the sole, starting with the channel closest to the heel edge of the midsole. It has been shown that the horizontally acting forces are not necessarily greatest at the heel edge, i.e., in the channel closest to the heel edge, but rather in a portion of the heel area located further longitudinally towards the toe. Due to the decreasing vertical distance, the greatest cushioning can therefore be positioned in the area of highest stress, which on the one hand protects the wearer, but on the other hand does not result in a sole that is perceived as too soft, i.e., spongy.
• the vertical distance of each channel to the surface of the midsole decreases from channel to channel in the longitudinal direction towards the toe of the sole, starting with the channel closest to the heel edge of the midsole, and then increases from channel to channel in the longitudinal direction towards the toe of the sole.
• the channels are arranged such that the vertical distances of the respective channels, viewed from the lateral or medial side of the sole, decrease in the heel area, reach a minimum, and then increase again in the longitudinal direction towards the toe of the sole.
• the vertical distance between the channel in the heel area, which is located longitudinally closest to the toe of the sole, in particular the third channel from the heel edge in the direction of the toe of the sole, and the surface of the midsole may be smaller than the vertical distance between any other channel of the midsole and the surface of the midsole.
• the vertical distance of the steep channel to the surface of the midsole can be smaller than the distance of any other channel to the surface of the midsole.
• some, and in particular all, of the channels in the midsole can taper in the transverse direction from the lateral side to the medial side of the midsole.
• the open area of such a channel decreases in cross-section along a plane parallel to the longitudinal direction and perpendicular to the transverse direction of the midsole, from the lateral side to the medial side.
• This has the advantage of increasing the stability of the sole, especially during impact, without significantly reducing its cushioning properties.
• some, and in particular all, of the channels in the midsole can taper in the transverse direction from the medial side to the lateral side of the midsole.
• the channels in the forefoot area taper laterally from the lateral side to the medial side of the midsole, and that the channels in the heel area taper laterally from the medial side to the lateral side of the midsole, and vice versa.
• the channels in the midfoot area can taper laterally from the lateral side to the medial side of the midsole, or from the medial side to the lateral side of the midsole.
• Another aspect of the invention relates to a shoe, in particular a running shoe with a sole according to one of the embodiments described here.
• Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a sole according to one of the embodiments described here for the manufacture of a shoe, in particular a running shoe.
• Figure 1 shows a sole according to the invention for a running shoe, which has an elastic midsole 1.
• the midsole 1 is bounded by the base surface 2 opposite the vertical direction V and by the surface 3 in the vertical direction V. Furthermore, the midsole 1 is divided into a heel area FB, a midfoot area MFB, and a forefoot area VFB. As shown, these three areas are arranged sequentially in the longitudinal direction, with the midfoot area MFB located between the heel area FB. and the forefoot area VFB.
• the midsole 1 comprises several channels 41, 42, 43 extending transversely Q of the midsole 1 and arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction L of the midsole 1 (for clarity, only three of the channels are labeled).
• channels 41, 42, 43 each have an elongated contour along a cross-sectional plane in the longitudinal direction L of the midsole 1 and perpendicular to the transverse direction Q of the midsole. In the coordinate system shown, this cross-sectional plane is the V,L plane.
• Each channel 41, 42, 43 has a longitudinal principal axis 411, 421 in cross-section along the cross-sectional plane in the longitudinal direction L and perpendicular to the transverse direction Q (for clarity, only the longitudinal principal axes of two of the channels are shown).
• the acute angle ⁇ -41 between the longitudinal axis 411 and the base 2, or the tangent at the intersection of the longitudinal axis 411 and the base 2, of the channel 41 located in the heel region FB is larger than the acute angle ⁇ -42 between the base 2 (or the tangent at the intersection of the longitudinal axis 411 and the base 2) and the longitudinal axis 421 of at least the channel 42 located in the midfoot region MFB.
• the angle between the longitudinal axis and the base decreases continuously from channel to channel from the heel edge 5 to the toe 6 and into the midfoot region, and is essentially 0° in the forefoot region, i.e., the longitudinal axis of the channels in the forefoot region VFB is parallel to the base 2.
• the channels also each have a lateral axis 422 (for reasons of For clarity, only the principal lateral axis 422 of the canal 42 is shown, which is perpendicular to the principal longitudinal axis.
• the height of a canal is defined as the distance between the canal walls along the principal lateral axis. As in the Figure 1 As shown, the height along the main lateral axis of the forefoot area VFB of the channel 43 is smaller than the height along the main lateral axis of a channel in the midfoot area MFB and/or in the heel area FB. arranged channels 41, 42.
• the channels in the forefoot area VFB have a rectangular contour in cross-section along the cross-sectional plane in the longitudinal direction L of the midsole 1 and perpendicular to the transverse direction Q of the midsole 1. Since the edge lengths of two mutually parallel edges of the rectangle are longer in one direction than the edge lengths of the other two parallel edges, the corresponding channels have an elongated contour.
• the perpendicular to the canal is perpendicular to the base 2, or to the tangent (see tangent T-41) that lies against the base 2 at the intersection of the perpendicular to the canal (see perpendicular to the canal 413) with the base 2.
• the obtuse angle ⁇ -42 between the major longitudinal axis 421 of the canal 42 and the perpendicular to the canal 423 of the canal 42 is shown.
• the obtuse angle ⁇ -41 of the canal 41, which is located in the heel region FB, is larger than the obtuse angle ⁇ -42, which is located in the midfoot region MFB.
• Figure 1 shows a channel with a teardrop-shaped contour in cross-section along the V,L plane, i.e., along the cross-sectional plane in the longitudinal direction L of the midsole and perpendicular to the transverse direction Q of the midsole.
• the teardrop-shaped contour essentially consists of an isosceles triangle, in this case with a rounded apex, and a spherical segment, in this case a hemisphere, as indicated by the dotted line.
• a teardrop-shaped contour can therefore also, for example, The contour can be described as lanceolate.
• Such a teardrop-shaped contour has proven particularly advantageous for the heel area, as it allows for efficient damping of both horizontal forces (F ⁇ sub> H ⁇ /sub>, acting against the longitudinal direction L) and vertical forces (F ⁇ sub>V ⁇ /sub>, acting in the vertical direction V ) .
• This is achieved by partially or completely closing the lateral openings as the channel walls move towards each other. This allows for damping of horizontally acting forces without any segmentation of the midsole, even in channels that are entirely formed by the midsole in the V,L plane.
• FIG. 3a The figure shows a running shoe with a midsole according to the invention in its unloaded state.
• the channels close, particularly in the longitudinal direction L, forming an essentially S-shaped channel. This allows for efficient damping of both horizontal and vertical forces occurring during running.
• a running shoe with a midsole 1 according to the invention is shown in a further embodiment of the invention.
• the midsole 1 shown in the image has channels 41 and 42 in the heel area FB and partially also in the midfoot area MFB (for clarity, only three channels are labeled in total).
• These channels have a hexagonal contour in cross-section along the V,L plane, i.e., along the cross-sectional plane in the longitudinal direction L of the midsole and perpendicular to the transverse direction Q of the midsole. As shown, this contour does not necessarily have to be a regular hexagon.
• the main longitudinal axis 421 of channel 42 runs in the V,L plane through the center of channel 42 and is parallel to the longitudinal direction, i.e., the direction in which the channel extends. Furthermore, the main longitudinal axis passes through the points on the channel walls that are furthest apart in cross-section along the aforementioned cross-sectional plane.
• the channels In the forefoot area and partly also channels in the midfoot area have a rectangular contour with rounded corners, as shown for example for channel 43.
• Figure 1 shows a further embodiment of the insole according to the invention with a midsole 1.
• This midsole is bounded opposite the vertical direction V by the base surface 2 and in the vertical direction V by the surface 3. Furthermore, the midsole 1 is divided into a heel area FB, a midfoot area MFB, and a forefoot area VFB.
• the midsole 1 comprises several channels 41a, 41b, 41c, and 42a (for clarity, only four of the channels are labeled) extending transversely Q across the midsole 1 and arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction L of the midsole 1.
• Channels 41a, 41b, and 41c are arranged in the heel area, while channel 42a is arranged in the midfoot area and is the channel in the midfoot area that is closest to the heel edge 5.
• the midsole 1 is divided into three sections.
• each channel in cross-section has a longitudinal axis (not labeled) along the cross-sectional plane in the longitudinal direction L and perpendicular to the transverse direction Q. It is evident that the acute angle between the longitudinal axis and the base of each channel decreases from channel 41a, the channel closest to the heel edge of the midsole, from channel 41b, 41c in the longitudinal direction towards the toe of the sole.
• channel 41a is defined by the longitudinal axis of channel 41a and the tangent extending from it to the point of contact between the base 2 and the heel edge 5.
• Channel 41c is the steepest channel of the midsole, i.e., the channel which, of all the channels of the midsole, has the largest acute angle between its longitudinal axis and the base.
• the Figure 6 shows a perspective view of the embodiment from the Figure 5 It is evident that the steep channel 41c exhibits the largest acute angle between its main longitudinal axis and the base surface. In both the channels towards the heel edge and the channels towards the toe of the sole, the corresponding acute angle between the respective main longitudinal axis and the base surface is generally smaller than in the steep channel 41.
• Figure 7 Figure 1 schematically shows a highly simplified horizontal section of a sole according to a further embodiment of the invention.
• the channels do not necessarily all lie in the same plane.
• the illustration is intended to show that, in this embodiment, the channels 41, 42, and 43 (for clarity, only three of the channels are labeled) taper in the transverse direction from the lateral side LS of the midsole to the medial side MS of the midsole.
• FIG 8 A running shoe with a midsole 1 according to a further embodiment of the invention is shown.
• the main longitudinal axis 421 of the channel 42 runs in the V,L plane through the center of the channel 42 and runs parallel to the longitudinal direction, i.e., the direction in which the channel extends. Furthermore, the main longitudinal axis runs through the points on the channel walls that are furthest apart in cross-section along the aforementioned cross-sectional plane.
• the channels The channels are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction L from the heel edge 5 to the toe of the sole 6 and are positioned in at least one first and one second horizontal plane in the lateral and/or medial area of the midsole 1.
• the first and second horizontal planes are vertically offset from each other.
• Channel 41 is located in the first horizontal plane
• channel 42 is located in the second horizontal plane, which is vertically offset from it.

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• 2022
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