Shoe with improved structure

Abstract

A shoe including an outer sole assembly and an upper. The shoe extends lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and height-wise from the outer sole assembly to an upper end. The shoe further includes a first shell and a reinforcing structure arranged opposite the first shell. The reinforcing structure includes holes on at least a portion of its surface.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is based upon French Patent Application No. 15 / 00139, filed Jan. 23, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority of which is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates to a walking or sports shoe that can be used in disciplines such as running on level, hilly, or mountainous terrain, skateboarding, ball sports, cross-country or telemark skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and others.[0004]2. Background Information[0005]Depending upon the intended uses, a shoe such as those of the aforementioned types must have a certain flexibility and damping capability. Flexibility must be understood as an ability to follow certain deformations of the foot of a user. This is intended, for example, to enable good foot rolling movement or tilting of the lower leg in relation to the foot when walking or running. Damping is i...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0024]For one of the given dimensions of the reinforcement, that is to say, for a given perimeter or for a given thickness thereof, having holes makes the reinforcement lighter. The holes, such as cavities or openings of various shapes, reduce the amount of material required to make the reinforcement.

[0025]Due to its structure, the reinforcement is also more flexible, more deformable, for example in the event of an impact against an obstacle, while nevertheless keeping a certain resistance to the compression caused by the impact. As a result, the first shell can also flex in the location where it extends opposite the reinforcing structure. In other words, providing holes in the reinforcing structure increases the surface of the shell that can be deformed in flexion. It can also be said that in the area of a reinforcing structure, the shoe upper is capable of undergoing a reversible recessed deformation, even if such deformation is less than in zones devoid of reinforcing structure. The holes enable the reinforcement to deform more easily, thereby providing more flexibility. Also, the shell can be deformed more smoothly in the area of a boundary between a zone opposite the reinforcing structure and a zone away from the reinforcing structure.

[0026]The resulting advantages include a better foot rolling movement, that is to say, a smoother and more gradual rolling movement. The difference in flexural strength between a zone of the upper provided with a reinforcing structure and a zone devoid of reinforcing structure is indeed reduced, compared to what has been observed on a shoe according to the prior art.

[0027]As a result of the foot rolling movement, the transmission of sensory information, supports, impacts, and other stresses is also more consistent and / or more accurate for a shoe according to the invention. It can be said that due to the invention, the behavior of the shoe is more precise.

[0028]Another advantage provided by the invention is improved comfort. Comfort is more homogeneous, that is to say, almost consistent, or consistent, in various locations of the shoe. In other words, comfort varies little, if at all, from a zone devoid of reinforcing structure to a zone provided with a reinforcing structure. It can be said, for example, that the boundary between two zones of the shell, one opposite the reinforcing structure and the other not opposite the reinforcing structure, remains sufficiently flexible to protect the foot of the user. This means that this boundary is not a source of injuries.

[0029]The invention also makes it possible to reduce user fatigue, because the holes, the cavities or the openings of the reinforcing structures lighten the shoe.

Problems solved by technology

But drawbacks remain, which are observed sometimes during walking, or sometimes during intense sporting activity.

A first drawback is as follows: the known shoe at least partially hinders the rolling movement of the foot, especially for running, due to the presence of one or more reinforcing structures.

It follows that the rolling movement of the foot is not sufficiently smooth, not sufficiently gradual, as it is disturbed in the area of the boundary.

It also follows that the transmission of sensory information, supports, impacts, and other stresses is slightly uneven, or slightly inaccurate.

In other words, a shoe according to the prior art lacks homogeneity in its behavior.

Another drawback is that of comfort.

Comfort is not homogeneous, that is, not consistent in various locations of the shoe.

It is particularly observed that the boundary between these zones can sometimes form a relatively non-deformable fold, which is likely to be a source of injury to the user.

Another drawback is related to inertia.

Each reinforcing structure increases the weight of the shoe, thereby causing additional fatigue for the user.

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