Footwear Sole Structure with Suspended Elastomeric Web or Mesh Support

Abstract

A footwear sole structure has a suspended elastomer web or mesh (1) support for a foot of a wearer of the footwear. A gap or space under the web / mesh allows it to flex down e.g. towards the outsole (3) or the ground. The web or mesh can be secured to a peripheral portion of the sole base by projections or loops (5) on the web or mesh. The web or mesh can be a one piece or multi part moulded component. The web or mesh can provide a peripheral zone around a central zone. The central body (2) can be a moulding incorporating a front strap pair (6) and rear strap pair (7) folded up into a wearing position and lugs (8), and have a higher density elastomer sole that fits up and is bonded into a matching lip in the base of the central body (2) and the elastomer web or mesh (1) fits down over the central body (2) such that the loops (5) stretch around corresponding lugs (8) on the central body (2) and the web or mesh (1) is largely held in pre-tension via the strength of the sole supports and there is still space between the web or mesh 1 and the sole for the web / mesh (1) to flex down into via weight of foot.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to footwear, such as shoes, boots and sandals.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION[0002]Conventional footwear consists of an outer sole (outsole) for contact with the ground and an inner sole (insole) for cushioning the user's foot.[0003]Enclosed footwear, such as shoes and boots also have an upper to enclose and position the foot.[0004]For the sake of clarity, in this specification the term ‘footwear’ relates to outer footwear, such as shoes, boots, sandals and does not include items of fabric clothing worn on the feet, such as socks, stockings, tights and pantyhose.[0005]Known footwear by way of conventional shoes consists of cushioned soles to provide comfort. However, no matter what the design or construction method of conventional soles, they are all based on the principle of compression cushioning. In other words, when the weight of a foot is applied to the sole, the cushioning by way of traditional foam material is compressed b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]The suspended elastomeric web / mesh footwear is able to provide superb ventilation as the open mesh design allows the majority of the foot to breathe due to the low surface area physical contact with the web / mesh.

[0015]It is most important to understand that the web / mesh elastomer not only offers comfort and ventilation but critically eases pressure on limbs such as ankles and knees. Because the mesh is a flexible elastic / elastomer material it flexes and rebounds gently to ease the impact pressure on knees, ankles etc.

[0018]It is therefore possible to also include soft foam in at least some of this space or gap. The web / mesh can therefore touch the foam if forced down far enough, which in turn can soften the pressure applied to the bottom of the sole. Importantly, although the web / mesh has ‘bottomed out’ it has still absorbed a large part of the downward force and impact in the process and can in turn rebound a percentage of this force as the web / mesh returns to a more normal position. In fact, the rebound is the most immediately noticeable characteristic of the footwear. This can effectively reduce the energy exerted by the wearer, particularly if climbing stairs etc.

[0019]In such instances of high load, because the web has absorbed a large percentage of the initial load, it means the foam can be softer than usual (on a normal shoe, the foam must take the FULL load) further accentuating the comfort of the shoe.

Problems solved by technology

However, all these approaches are still based on compression of the cushioning material.

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