Sole for a shoe, boot or sandal

Abstract

An insert 2, 3, for a sole of a shoe, boot or sandal is provided to give a cushioning effect. The sole 1 comprises a first integrally formed member which forms part of the sole 1 and which has a sole tread pattern on the first surface thereof, and a second integrally formed member 2, 3, in the form of an insert received in a cavity of the first member so that it is received in the cavity above a mounting surface 5, the mounting surface 5 being formed on a surface opposed to the surface having the sole tread pattern. There are a plurality of projections 6 projecting away from the mounting surface 5. The inserts 2,3, have parts whose thickness in a direction normal to the mounting surface is lower than the thickness of other parts of the respective insert in a direction parallel to the mounting surface 5. The projection 6 engage the parts of the inserts 10 having lower thickness, at least the insert being formed of a resilient material to increase the springiness of the sole, the projections and the reduced thickness portions each extending in two directions parallel to the mounting surface for a distance lower than the corresponding dimensions of the mounting surface.

Description

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a shoe sole and to an insert for a shoe sole. [0002] The general term ‘shoe’ used herein includes a boot or sandal, unless it is indicated otherwise. [0003] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission of that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. [0004] It is well-known that a sole of a shoe must be relatively rigid, so that the shoe can be worn outdoors without being damaged. However, the rigidity required for normal functioning of a sole of a shoe can result in discomfort to the wearer. An insert can be put in the sole, to provide cushioning and comfort. The nature of the insert will depend on the use of the shoe in which it is intended to be inserted. [0005] Cushioning has been provided in the past by trapped air pockets formed in the sole, but such air pockets are vulnerable to puncture. [0006] It is ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] The present invention provides a sole for shoe, boot or sandal, having a first integrally formed member which forms part of the sole and which has a sole tread pattern on a first surface thereof, and a second integrally formed member in the form of an insert received in a cavity of the first member so that it is received in the cavity above a mounting, surface the mounting surface being formed on a surface opposed to the surface having the sole tread pattern, there being a plurality of projections projecting away from the mounting surface, the insert having parts whose thickness in a direction normal to the mounting surface is lower than the thickness of other parts of the insert in the direction normal to the mounting surface, the projections engaging parts of the insert having lower thickness, at least the insert being formed of a resilient material to increase the springiness of the sole, the projections and the reduced thickness portions each extending in two directions parallel to the mounting surface for a distance lower than the corresponding dimensions of the mounting surface.

[0009] The sole of the invention has the advantage that the cushioning effect is provided by components which are formed on surfaces other than the surface of the sole comprising the tread pattern. This means that the tread pattern can be any pattern required, for example to give good grip, without reducing or affecting the cushioning function.

[0010] The sole of the present invention comprises two members, each of which is integrally formed. These members are relatively easy to manufacture and simple to assemble. Where inserts are formed by laminating a number of components adjacent to one another, there is a danger of wear and dislocation making the inserts unusable after a very short period.

[0011] The sole of the present invention has a further advantage that, whereas a number of solutions in the prior art have been proposed which use bars or ribs, the present invention uses projections and reduced thickness portions each of which is relatively small compared to the mounting surface. Each projection or reduced thickness portion may therefore have an enhanced springiness compared to a bar. By providing a relatively large number of such projections and reduced thickness portions, each projection and reduced thickness portion only bears a relatively small proportion of the total weight, allowing the weight to be spread out in a comfortable manner and preventing overload of any particular part of the sole, thereby reducing the amount of damage.

[0013] It is preferable that at least part of the insert is displaceable with respect to the projections in a direction generally parallel to the mounting surface, the reduced thickness portions of this part of the insert having an elliptical shape when seen in the plane parallel to the mounting surface. This arrangement allows the components of the sole to move in a natural manner when the sole is flexed during walking. By providing an elliptical reduced thickness portions, the projections are always in contact with at least part of the reduced thickness portion, so that the springiness is not loss during flexing.

Problems solved by technology

Where inserts are formed by laminating a number of components adjacent to one another, there is a danger of wear and dislocation making the inserts unusable after a very short period.

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