A sole, shoe

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of shoe sole, shoe.The shoe sole includes midsole and two rigid pieces, two rigid pieces are embedded in the surface of the two side walls of midsole width direction respectively, and all extend along the length direction of shoe sole, and each rigid piece all spans the bending position of midsole in forefoot area;The side wall of midsole is divided into upper wall and lower wall by rigid piece in the thickness direction of midsole, at least in the part corresponding to bending position, lower wall is outwardly convex relative to upper wall, to form the step part of supporting rigid piece;The elastic modulus of the material constituting rigid piece is greater than the elastic modulus of the material constituting midsole.The shoe sole has higher bending stiffness in forefoot area compared with ordinary shoe sole, and can improve the influence of large area plate-shaped rigid component inside midsole on shoe sole weight and assembly convenience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of shoe sole technology, specifically to a shoe sole and a shoe. Background Technology

[0002] Running shoes require the forefoot area to flex with the metatarsophalangeal joint during running, while the sole also needs a certain degree of forefoot flexion stiffness to limit excessive flexion in the forefoot area and provide stable rolling support. Current high-performance running shoes typically improve forefoot flexion stiffness by incorporating rigid components such as carbon fiber plates, nylon plates, or TPU plates within the midsole. However, these rigid components usually need to be sandwiched inside the midsole and rely on a large coverage area to achieve a significant flexion restriction effect. But rigid components increase the weight of the sole and increase assembly complexity, while reducing the area of ​​the rigid components can easily weaken the restriction effect on the forefoot flexion area. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The purpose of this invention is to solve the problems in the prior art and to disclose a sole and a shoe that can improve the effect of limiting the bending of the forefoot area while improving the problems of excessive weight and complicated assembly of the sole.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, the following technical solution is adopted: In at least one embodiment, a shoe sole is disclosed, the shoe sole comprising a midsole and two rigid members; the two rigid members are respectively embedded in the two sidewall surfaces in the width direction of the midsole and extend along the length direction of the shoe sole, and each of the rigid members crosses the bending position of the midsole in the forefoot region; the sidewall of the midsole is divided into an upper sidewall and a lower sidewall by the rigid members in the thickness direction of the midsole; at least in the portion corresponding to the bending position, the lower sidewall protrudes outward relative to the upper sidewall to form a stepped portion supporting the rigid members; wherein the elastic modulus of the material constituting the rigid members is greater than the elastic modulus of the material constituting the midsole.

[0005] In the above design, since the two rigid components are respectively embedded on the two side wall surfaces in the width direction of the midsole and cross the bending point of the forefoot area along the length direction of the sole, the local deformation of the side wall surfaces when the midsole is bent under stress is restricted by the rigid components with a high elastic modulus, which helps to improve the bending stiffness of the forefoot area of ​​the sole. Furthermore, the rigid components are set on the two side wall surfaces of the midsole, rather than sandwiched in a large plate-like component inside the midsole, which helps to improve the bending restriction effect of the forefoot while reducing the weight of the sole and simplifying the assembly and molding process between the midsole and the bottom layer.

[0006] Furthermore, since the sidewalls of the midsole are divided into an upper sidewall and a lower sidewall by a rigid component in the thickness direction, and at least in the portion corresponding to the bend, the lower sidewall protrudes outward relative to the upper sidewall to form a step, the rigid component can be supported by the step after being embedded in the sidewall surface. Therefore, the rigid component and the midsole no longer rely solely on lateral surface contact; the step provides downward support and local restraint, increasing the effective contact area between the rigid component and the midsole, and reducing the risk of the rigid component peeling off, lifting, or tearing relative to the midsole sidewall during running push-off, forefoot flexion, and repeated stomping. Especially when this step is placed in the portion corresponding to the bend, it can improve the connection stability between the rigid component and the midsole in areas where the rigid component experiences concentrated stress, making the rigid component's restraint at the bend more reliable.

[0007] In the sole disclosed in at least one embodiment, preferably, the rigid member is configured as a columnar, rod-shaped, or strip-shaped structure with an arc-shaped outer periphery.

[0008] In the above design, the rigid component can extend along the length of the sole using columnar, rod-shaped, or strip-shaped structures with curved outer surfaces, providing continuous anti-deformation support before and after the bending point. Columnar, rod-shaped, or strip-shaped structures with curved outer surfaces are less prone to sharp bends or localized stress concentrations under stress, and can form a more stable support with the stepped portion formed by the lower sidewall, thus improving the durability of the rigid component during repeated bending.

[0009] In the sole disclosed in at least one embodiment, preferably, the rigid member is configured as a sheet, the thickness direction of the rigid member is consistent with the width direction of the sole, and the width direction of the rigid member is consistent with the thickness direction of the sole.

[0010] In the above design, when the rigid component is plate-shaped, its thickness direction is consistent with the width direction of the sole, and its width direction is consistent with the thickness direction of the sole. When the forefoot area of ​​the sole bends, the deformation of the midsole will act on the width direction of the rigid component, and the larger size of the rigid component in the width direction can better withstand the bending deformation of the midsole. Therefore, when the plate-shaped rigid component is embedded in the surface of the midsole sidewall in a lateral and vertical manner, it can effectively constrain the bending position of the forefoot area without the need for a large area of ​​rigid plate inside the midsole. This is beneficial for improving the bending stiffness of the forefoot while also taking into account lightweight and ease of assembly.

[0011] In the sole disclosed in at least one embodiment, preferably, the front ends of the two rigid members extend to the front end of the midsole and are joined together.

[0012] In the above design, the two rigid components are connected as one piece at the front end of the midsole. The tension exerted on the two rigid components due to midsole deformation will be interconnected, thereby further improving the bending restriction of the forefoot area of ​​the midsole without changing the materials and dimensions. Furthermore, since the front ends of the two rigid components do not have independent end structures, the risk of local warping and peeling can be reduced.

[0013] In the sole disclosed in at least one embodiment, preferably, the two sidewalls are an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall, and the rigid member located on the outer sidewall provides a greater ability to restrict the bending position of the midsole than the rigid member located on the inner sidewall.

[0014] In the above design, when the midsole flexes and deforms, the outer wall bends more than the inner wall, resulting in a greater outward deformation of the midsole. By making the rigid component on the outer wall side more restrictive of the flexing point, the degree of flexing restriction in the corresponding part of the outer wall can be specifically improved, thereby enhancing stability during wear. Meanwhile, the rigid component on the inner wall side has a lower restrictive ability of the flexing point, preventing the rigid component from affecting the necessary flexural compliance of the sole.

[0015] In the sole disclosed in at least one embodiment, preferably, the rigid member located on the outer wall has a larger cross-sectional dimension at least at the bending position than the rigid member located on the inner wall at the bending position.

[0016] In the above design, because the outer wall rigid component has a larger cross-sectional dimension at the corresponding bending point, it has stronger resistance to deformation at the bending point and can form a stronger deformation restraint effect at the bending point. Therefore, the inner and outer restraint capabilities can be differentiated by adjusting the cross-sectional dimensions of the rigid component without increasing the overall length of the rigid components on both sides. This is beneficial for controlling the amount of rigid components and the weight of the sole while focusing on strengthening the outer support.

[0017] In the sole disclosed in at least one embodiment, preferably, the cross-sectional dimensions of the rigid member vary along the length of the sole and have the largest cross-sectional dimensions at least at the location corresponding to the bending position.

[0018] In the above design, because the cross-sectional dimensions of the rigid component vary along the length of the sole, and have the largest cross-sectional dimensions at the corresponding bending points, the deformation restraint capability of the rigid component can be concentrated at the location where the forefoot bending requires the most restraint. This reduces material usage in other areas, thus facilitating a balance between improved bending stiffness and lightweight sole. Furthermore, this variation in cross-sectional dimensions can be applied to columnar, rod-shaped, strip-shaped, or sheet-like structures with curved outer surfaces, allowing rigid components of different shapes to form more concentrated local reinforcement at the bending points.

[0019] In the sole disclosed in at least one embodiment, preferably, the cross-sectional dimension of the rigid member at the portion corresponding to the bend is larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the portion located in front of the bend.

[0020] In the above design, the rigid component at the bend is the main bending area in the forefoot region of the midsole. The rigid component has a larger cross-sectional dimension at this location, allowing it to more directly withstand sidewall deformation at the bend. The rigid component located in front of the bend has a relatively smaller cross-sectional dimension, reducing the amount of material used in the forefoot area and minimizing its impact on the shoe's bending compliance and comfort in the toe area.

[0021] In the sole disclosed in at least one embodiment, preferably, the width of the rigid member varies along the length of the sole and has the maximum width at least at the location corresponding to the bending position.

[0022] In the above design, because the width of the rigid component varies along the length of the sole and has its maximum width at the corresponding bending point, the deformation restraint capability of the rigid component can be concentrated at the position where the forefoot bending requires the most restraint. This reduces the amount of material in other areas, thus facilitating a balance between improved bending stiffness and lightweight sole.

[0023] In the sole disclosed in at least one embodiment, preferably, the rigid member has a reinforcing portion at the location corresponding to the bending position that extends upward and / or downward relative to other portions along the thickness direction of the sole.

[0024] In the above design, because the rigid component has a reinforcing section extending upward and / or downward along the thickness of the sole at the corresponding bending position, the effective stress-bearing height and local deformation resistance of the rigid component at the bending position are further improved. Compared with the solution of gradually changing the width along the length of the rigid component, this solution can reduce the material in other parts and more specifically improve the bending stiffness at the bending position.

[0025] In the sole disclosed in at least one embodiment, preferably, the rigid member branches into at least two rearwardly extending forked strips before passing the bend, the two forked strips being spaced apart in the thickness direction of the sole and the distance of the space gradually increasing rearward along the length direction of the sole.

[0026] In the above design, the rigid component branches into at least two bifurcated strips before passing the bend. These two strips are spaced apart along the sole thickness, with the gap gradually increasing rearward. This increases the effective range of the rigid component on the midsole sidewall. Furthermore, the bifurcation occurs before the bend, allowing the two bifurcated strips to work together to restrict the bending of the midsole, thus improving the bending stiffness of the sole. The purpose of using a bifurcated structure for the rigid component, rather than simply placing two parallel rigid components on the same sidewall, is to ensure that the two bifurcated strips remain continuously connected through the integral portion before the bifurcation. This allows the two bifurcated strips to jointly bear and transmit the deformation of the midsole at the bend, rather than independently restricting the midsole deformation under stress. This avoids unstable restraint effects caused by assembly errors, differences in connection strength, or asynchronous stress between two independent rigid components. It also reduces the number of ends of the independent rigid components, lowering the risk of end warping, peeling, or localized stress concentration. Furthermore, the spacing between the bifurcated strips gradually increases rearward along the length of the sole, allowing the constraint of the rigid component on the midsole sidewall to gradually transition from concentrated constraint near the flex point to dispersed constraint in the rearward region. This improves the forefoot flex stiffness while making the stiffness change in the rearward region of the rigid component smoother. In addition, the two bifurcations can grip two different positions on the midsole sidewall respectively. When the rigid component is subjected to force due to deformation at the midsole flex point, it can better hold the midsole on both sides of the flex point, thereby reducing the deformation of the rigid component itself and improving the rigid component's ability to restrict midsole flexion.

[0027] In the sole disclosed in at least one embodiment, preferably, the rigid member has a connecting protrusion protruding from one side toward the midsole, and the connecting protrusion is embedded in the midsole along the width direction of the sole.

[0028] In the above design, a connecting protrusion is provided on the side of the rigid component facing the midsole, and the connecting protrusion is embedded into the midsole along the width direction of the sole. This allows the rigid component and the midsole to be connected not only through the sidewall surface and the stepped portion, but also through the embedded structure to form a mechanical fixation. This helps to improve the strength and stability of the connection between the rigid component and the midsole, and reduces the risk of peeling and warping of the rigid component during repeated bending. This connecting protrusion can be a slightly raised point or a relatively long protruding arm.

[0029] In the sole disclosed in at least one embodiment, preferably, the connecting protrusion extends at least beyond the centerline of the midsole in the width direction of the sole; and / or, the number of the connecting protrusions is multiple, and each of the connecting protrusions is staggered along the length direction of the sole.

[0030] In the above design, when the connecting protrusion extends at least beyond the centerline of the midsole along the width direction of the sole, it ensures a more secure connection with the midsole, making it less likely for the rigid component to detach from the midsole. Extending beyond the centerline provides sufficient length for the connecting protrusion, allowing it to abut against the midsole in the event of rigid component detachment. This, in turn, limits the detachment of the rigid component through the midsole's restraint, further reducing the overall risk of detachment of the rigid component located on the sidewall. Staggering the connecting protrusions along the length of the sole avoids mutual interference and enhances connection strength at different locations, preventing damage to the midsole due to excessive concentrated stress.

[0031] In the sole disclosed in at least one embodiment, preferably, the rigid member is bonded and fixed to the midsole.

[0032] In the sole disclosed in at least one embodiment, preferably, the rigid component is a component made of carbon fiber, nylon, thermoplastic polyurethane, glass fiber composite, metal, or a composite of at least two of these materials.

[0033] In the above design, the rigid component is fixed to the midsole via adhesive bonding. This allows the rigid component to be fixed to the sidewall surfaces of the midsole in the width direction after the midsole is molded, eliminating the need for a sandwich-like assembly structure where the upper midsole, rigid component, and lower midsole are stacked sequentially. This reduces the number of midsole molds and the complexity of interlayer assembly. The rigid component can be made of carbon fiber, nylon, thermoplastic polyurethane, glass fiber composite, metal, or a combination of materials. Therefore, the rigid component can be selected based on the target stiffness, weight, flexural resistance, processing method, and cost requirements of the sole. This allows for the development of sidewall rigid component solutions with different flexural restraint capabilities for different running shoe positioning or different wearing needs, improving the adaptability of this solution.

[0034] In at least one embodiment, a shoe is disclosed, the shoe including an upper and the aforementioned sole, the upper being attached to the sole.

[0035] In the aforementioned shoes, the use of rigid components on the sidewalls of the midsole along its width to constrain the flexing points in the forefoot area provides more stable forefoot flexing support during push-off. Furthermore, this shoe does not rely on large plate-like rigid components within the midsole to improve forefoot flexing stiffness, thus balancing athletic support performance, overall shoe lightweighting, and manufacturing convenience. Additionally, the presence of stepped sections on the midsole sidewalls at least at the corresponding flexing points to support the rigid components enhances the connection stability between the rigid components and the midsole, improving the shoe's structural reliability during long-term repeated bending and trotting. Attached Figure Description

[0036] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments are briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0037] Figure 1 This is a side view of the shoe sole according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the cross section at point AA; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the rigid component involved in Embodiment 2 of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a side view of the shoe sole according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a side view of the shoe sole according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a side view schematic diagram of another shoe sole according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a side view of the shoe sole according to Embodiment 6 of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a side view of the shoe sole according to Embodiment 7 of the present invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the rigid component involved in Embodiment 8 of the present invention.

[0038] Explanation of key figure labels: 10. Midsole; 11. Sidewall; 12. Bend; 13. Upper sidewall; 14. Lower sidewall; 15. Step; Rigid component 20; Reinforcing part 21; Forked strip 22; Connecting protrusion 23. Detailed Implementation

[0039] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are preferred embodiments of the present invention and should not be considered as excluding other embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0040] Unless otherwise expressly defined, the use of terms such as "first," "second," or "third" in the claims, description, and accompanying drawings of this invention is for distinguishing different objects and not for describing a specific order.

[0041] Unless otherwise expressly defined, in the claims, description, and accompanying drawings of this invention, the use of directional terms such as "center," "lateral," "longitudinal," "horizontal," "vertical," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "clockwise," and "counterclockwise" to indicate orientation or positional relationships is based on the orientation and positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and is only for the convenience of describing the invention and simplifying the description, and is not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as limiting the specific scope of protection of this invention.

[0042] Unless otherwise expressly defined, the terms "fixed connection" or "fixed connection" used in the claims, description and drawings of this invention should be interpreted broadly to refer to any connection in which there is no displacement or relative rotation relationship between the two parties, including non-removable fixed connection, detachable fixed connection, integral connection and fixed connection by other means or components.

[0043] In the claims, description and accompanying drawings of this invention, the terms "comprising," "having," and variations thereof are used to mean "including but not limited to."

[0044] Example 1 Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 Embodiment 1 of the present invention relates to a shoe, which includes a sole and an upper.

[0045] The shoe upper can be a structure suitable for connecting to the sole and covering at least a portion of the foot. The upper can be attached to the upper side or periphery of the sole by means of bonding, sewing, heat pressing, or integral molding, so that the upper and sole together define a wearing space for accommodating the foot. The specific structure of the upper can be designed according to the type of shoe, for example, it can be an athletic shoe upper, a casual shoe upper, or other upper structures suitable for use with the sole of this embodiment.

[0046] The focus of this invention is on the improvement of the sole structure; the material, number of layers, and appearance of the upper do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention.

[0047] Continue to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2The main difference between the sole of the present invention and the ordinary sole is that rigid members 20 are respectively embedded on the surface of the two side walls 11 of the midsole 10 of the sole. Both rigid members 20 extend along the length of the sole and cross the bending position 12 of the midsole 10 in the forefoot area. Furthermore, the front ends of the two rigid members 20 are connected as one piece in the front area of ​​the midsole 10, and the side walls 11 of the midsole 10 form a step portion 15 below the rigid members 20 to support the rigid members 20.

[0048] Specifically, the general structure of the sole will first be described. The sole in this embodiment mainly includes a midsole 10 and two rigid components 20. Of course, the sole may also include other components such as an outsole, outsole, abrasion-resistant layer, anti-slip layer, stabilizing plate, and decorative parts, which will not be elaborated here. The midsole 10 forms the main support part of the sole and provides support, cushioning, and rebound for the foot. The outsole can be located on the underside of the midsole 10 to provide abrasion resistance and grip.

[0049] The length direction of the sole refers to the direction from the forefoot area to the heel area or from the heel area to the forefoot area; the width direction refers to the direction from the inside of the sole to the outside or from the outside of the sole to the inside; and the thickness direction refers to the direction from the bottom surface of the sole to the top surface or from the top surface to the bottom surface. All descriptions of forefoot, back, top, bottom, inside, and outside are based on the orientation of the sole under normal wearing conditions.

[0050] In this embodiment of the invention, the forefoot region refers to the area on the sole corresponding to the range of motion of the forefoot and metatarsophalangeal joints of the human foot. The flexure point 12 refers to the part or area on the sole where bending primarily occurs during running push-off or forefoot bending. It can be represented as a strip-shaped area extending along the width of the sole, or as adjacent areas formed around this strip-shaped area. The dashed boxes, cutting lines, or other schematic symbols in the accompanying drawings are only used to indicate the approximate location of the flexure point 12 and do not represent the actual existence of corresponding frame-shaped components, linear components, or dividing components on the sole.

[0051] In this embodiment of the invention, the midsole 10 can be a one-piece foamed midsole or a composite of multiple midsoles, as long as it can provide foot support and cushioning. The material of the midsole 10 can be a conventional elastic foam material for footwear, such as EVA, PEBA, TPU, TPEE, PU, ​​supercritical foam materials, or a composite of the above materials. The specific material, density, hardness, and thickness of the midsole 10 can be set according to the purpose of the shoe, the target rebound performance, and the target wearer.

[0052] The sidewalls 11 of the midsole 10 refer to the outer peripheral surfaces of the midsole 10 located on both sides of the sole width direction. The side located on the inner side of the foot is the medial sidewall, and the side located on the outer side of the foot is the lateral sidewall. Both the medial and lateral sidewalls extend along the length of the sole and form part of the lateral outer contour of the midsole 10 in the forefoot, arch, and heel areas. The sidewalls 11 can extend generally in the vertical direction, or they can be formed into an inclined, curved, stepped, or partially concave-convex outer contour depending on the appearance or support requirements of the midsole 10.

[0053] In this embodiment, two rigid members 20 are respectively embedded in the surfaces of the two side walls 11 in the width direction of the midsole 10. That is, one rigid member 20 is embedded in the inner side wall surface of the midsole 10, and the other rigid member 20 is embedded in the outer side wall surface of the midsole 10. Figure 1 The main focus is on the structure of the rigid member 20 on one side wall 11. The rigid member 20 on the other side wall 11 can adopt the same structure, or different structures can be adopted according to the stress requirements of the inner and outer sides of the sole.

[0054] In this embodiment, the rigid member 20 is embedded in the surface of the two side walls 11 in the width direction of the midsole 10. This means that the rigid member 20 is at least partially embedded in or accommodated in the installation area formed by the surface of the side walls 11 of the midsole 10, so that the rigid member 20 and the side walls 11 of the midsole 10 form a mutually cooperating and fixed relationship. The rigid member 20 may be partially exposed on the outside of the side walls 11 of the midsole 10, or its outer surface may be roughly flush with the outer contour of the side walls 11 of the midsole 10, or a part of its area may protrude outward relative to the outer contour of the side walls 11 of the midsole 10. Regardless of the embedding method, the rigid member 20 should be able to bear the force with the side walls of the midsole 10 during the bending process in the forefoot area, and limit the bending position 12 of the midsole 10.

[0055] In one specific embodiment, the surface of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 may be provided with an inlay groove, mounting groove, or recessed area that matches the outer contour of the rigid member 20, and the rigid member 20 is at least partially accommodated in the inlay groove, mounting groove, or recessed area. The depth of the inlay groove may be less than the exposed dimension of the rigid member 20 in the width direction of the sole, so that the outer part of the rigid member 20 is visible; the depth of the inlay groove may also match the exposed dimension of the rigid member 20, so that the outer surface of the rigid member 20 is approximately flush with the outer surface of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10. In this way, the rigid member 20 can be stably positioned on the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10, and the risk of displacement, lifting, or detachment of the rigid member 20 relative to the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 can be reduced.

[0056] Both rigid members 20 extend along the length of the sole, and each rigid member 20 crosses the bend 12 in the forefoot region of the midsole 10. Crossing the bend 12 means that the rigid member 20 has at least a portion located in front of the bend 12 and a portion located behind the bend 12, and the rigid member 20 passes through the bend 12 or its adjacent area between the two portions. Thus, when the forefoot region of the midsole 10 is subjected to upward bending or bending deformation, the sidewalls 11 of the midsole 10 on both sides of the bend 12 can maintain contact with the same rigid member 20, thereby limiting the tensile, compressive, or local shear deformation of the sidewalls 11 at the bend 12.

[0057] In other words, the rigid component 20 is not merely a decorative element located only on the front or rear side of the bending position 12, nor is it simply a short reinforcing section located only on the sidewall 11. Instead, it extends along the length of the sole across the main bending point of the forefoot area of ​​the midsole 10. When the forefoot area undergoes rolling bending, the rigid component 20 can simultaneously act on the midsole portions on both the front and rear sides of the bending position 12, thereby limiting local deformation at the bending position 12 and improving the bending stiffness of the forefoot area.

[0058] Reference Figure 1 Two rigid members 20 extend rearward along the two side walls 11 in the width direction of the midsole 10, respectively. Their front ends are connected to each other in the front end region of the midsole 10 through a front end connecting section, thereby forming a semi-annular or continuous rigid structure that roughly surrounds the front end of the midsole 10. In this structure, the front end connecting section can be located on the outer peripheral surface of the front end of the midsole 10, or it can be partially attached to the area where the front end of the midsole 10 meets the two side walls 11. The front end connecting section is continuously connected to the two side rigid members 20, so that the two side rigid members 20 can restrain each other when the forefoot area is subjected to the pulling or shearing action caused by the bending of the midsole 10.

[0059] When the front ends of the two rigid members 20 are connected as one piece, the rigid member 20 can have a U-shaped, arc-shaped closed front end, or a continuous shape that matches the front contour of the midsole 10. The rear ends of the two rigid members 20 can still extend rearward according to the side wall structure of the midsole 10 and cross the corresponding bending position 12. The cross-sectional dimensions, width, rear end length, and local reinforcement structures of the two rigid members 20 can be the same or different. For example, the rigid member 20 on the outer wall can have a larger cross-sectional dimension, width, or reinforcement 21 at the corresponding bending position 12, while the rigid member 20 on the inner wall can have a smaller size or width to form differentiated support between the inner and outer sides.

[0060] In this embodiment, after the front ends of the two rigid members 20 are connected as one unit, when the forefoot area is subjected to bending force, the rigid members 20 located on the inner and outer sidewalls do not independently bear the deformation of the midsole 10, but form an overall linkage through the front end connecting section. When the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 at the forefoot bending position 12 undergoes tensile, compressive, or shear deformation, the force on one side of the rigid member 20 can be transmitted to the other side of the rigid member 20 through the front end connecting section, thereby improving the ability of both rigid members 20 to jointly restrict the bending of the midsole 10.

[0061] Furthermore, since the front ends of the two rigid members 20 are connected as one piece, there are no two independent ends of the rigid member 20 at the front end of the midsole 10, which reduces the risk of the front end of the rigid member 20 lifting or peeling off due to concentrated force. Especially when the rigid member 20 is fixed to the surface of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 by adhesive bonding, the front end connection structure can reduce the number of ends and improve the connection stability of the forefoot front area.

[0062] Reference Figure 2 In this embodiment, the rigid member 20 is configured as a columnar, rod-shaped, or strip-shaped structure with an arc-shaped outer periphery. The columnar, rod-shaped, or strip-shaped structure with an arc-shaped outer periphery can extend along the length of the sole and cross the bending point 12. Figure 2 Taking the structure shown as an example, the rigid member 20 has an arc-shaped outer peripheral surface, and is generally cylindrical or approximately cylindrical in shape. The rigid member 20 can be a solid structure or a hollow structure; the cross-section of the rigid member 20 can be circular, elliptical, semi-circular, approximately circular, approximately elliptical, or other shapes with at least one arc-shaped outer peripheral surface. As long as the rigid member 20 can provide a higher resistance to deformation than the midsole 10 at the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10, it can be used as the rigid member 20 in this embodiment.

[0063] In this embodiment, when the rigid member 20 is configured as a columnar, rod-shaped, or strip-shaped structure with an arc-shaped outer circumference, its circumferential stress transition is relatively smooth, and it is not easy to form sharp bends or local stress concentrations during bending. Compared with sheet-like structures, this type of structure can have better durability during repeated bending and stepping; at the same time, the stepped portion 15 formed by the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 can improve the contact and fixation stability between this type of strip-shaped or columnar rigid member 20 and the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10.

[0064] Reference Figure 2The sidewalls 11 of the midsole 10 are divided into upper sidewall 13 and lower sidewall 14 by the rigid member 20 in the thickness direction of the midsole 10. Specifically, in the thickness direction of the midsole 10, the sidewall portion above the rigid member 20 can be called upper sidewall 13, and the sidewall portion below the rigid member 20 can be called lower sidewall 14. Upper sidewall 13 and lower sidewall 14 are not required to be two separate independent components; they can be different areas integrally formed on the sidewalls 11 of the midsole 10. They are named separately for the convenience of describing the sidewall structures on the upper and lower sides of the rigid member 20.

[0065] At least in the portion corresponding to the bend 12, the lower sidewall 14 protrudes outward relative to the upper sidewall 13 to form a step 15 supporting the rigid member 20. Here, "protrudes outward" means that the lower sidewall 14 protrudes relative to the upper sidewall 13 along the width direction of the sole, away from the center of the midsole 10. Since the lower sidewall 14 is located below the rigid member 20 and protrudes outward relative to the upper sidewall 13, the lower sidewall 14 can form a step 15 below the rigid member 20, so that the lower side or lower outer periphery of the rigid member 20 is at least partially supported by the step 15.

[0066] In this embodiment, the stepped portion 15 is at least provided in the area corresponding to the bending position 12, and may also extend along the length direction of the rigid member 20 to the adjacent area on the front and / or rear side of the bending position 12. Since the bending position 12 is the part where the rigid member 20 is subjected to concentrated force when running off and bending due to forefoot force, providing the stepped portion 15 in the part corresponding to the bending position 12 can improve the connection stability between the rigid member 20 and the midsole 10 in the area where the rigid member 20 is subjected to greater force.

[0067] In this structure, the rigid member 20 and the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 no longer rely solely on lateral surface contact. The upper sidewall 13 of the sidewall can limit the rigid member 20 from above or in the adjacent inner area, while the lower sidewall 14 supports the rigid member 20 from below through an outwardly protruding step 15. Thus, a composite fit of lateral embedding and lower support is formed between the rigid member 20 and the midsole 10, which can increase the effective contact area between the rigid member 20 and the midsole 10 and reduce the risk of the rigid member 20 peeling off, lifting, or tearing relative to the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 during running push-off, forefoot bending, and repeated stomping.

[0068] Specifically, for the rigid member 20, which is columnar, rod-shaped, or has a curved outer circumference, if the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 is essentially a vertical surface, the contact area between the rigid member 20 and the sidewall 11 is relatively limited. By making the lower wall 14 of the sidewall protrude outward relative to the upper wall 13 of the sidewall to form a step 15, the lower side or lower outer circumference of the rigid member 20 can be supported by the step 15, which is equivalent to increasing the contact area or circumferential range between the rigid member 20 and the midsole 10. In this way, the rigid member 20 is less likely to tear or detach relative to the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 during running push-off, forefoot flexion, and repeated stomping.

[0069] The elastic modulus of the material constituting the rigid member 20 is greater than that of the material constituting the midsole 10. The midsole 10 primarily bears the functions of foot cushioning, rebound, and support, while the rigid member 20 provides local bending resistance at the sidewall positions. When the forefoot area bends with the metatarsophalangeal joint, the midsole 10 can maintain the necessary elastic deformation, and the rigid members 20 located on the surfaces of the sidewalls 11, due to their high resistance to deformation, can form lateral constraints before and after the bending point 12. This lateral constraint acts on the inner and outer sidewalls of the midsole 10, limiting the bending amplitude of the forefoot area of ​​the midsole 10 and making the rolling support in the forefoot area more stable.

[0070] In one embodiment, the two rigid members 20 can each have the same profile, cross-sectional dimensions, and material to create relatively balanced bending constraints on both the inner and outer sides of the sole. In another embodiment, the rigid member 20 located on the outer wall can have a greater constraint on the bending point 12 than the rigid member 20 located on the inner wall. This difference can be achieved through structural variations, such as having a larger cross-sectional dimension, a longer span, or a higher modulus of elasticity material for the outer wall rigid member 20 at the bending point 12, or having a larger fixed area between the outer wall rigid member 20 and the midsole 10. Thus, the lateral deformation of the outer wall at the forefoot bending point 12 can be more strongly constrained, while the inner wall maintains relatively moderate bending compliance.

[0071] Preferably, the cross-sectional dimension of the rigid member 20 located on the outer wall, at least at the location corresponding to the bend 12, is larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the rigid member 20 located on the inner wall at the corresponding bend 12. Because the outer wall rigid member 20 has a larger cross-sectional dimension at the bend 12, its resistance to deformation at the bend 12 is correspondingly increased, thereby creating stronger local deformation restraint at the bend 12. This structure can be reinforced only at the bend 12 and its adjacent area, avoiding making the rigid members 20 on both sides as a whole larger.

[0072] In other embodiments, the outer wall rigid member 20 can be made to have a greater width, a larger reinforcement 21, a higher material elastic modulus, a larger embedding area, a larger bonding area, or a longer extension length, so that its ability to restrict the bending position 12 is greater than that of the inner wall rigid member 20. The above methods can be used alone or in combination.

[0073] Example 2 Reference Figure 3 The main difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the rigid member 20 is configured as a sheet. Figure 3 A structure of a sheet-like rigid member 20 is shown, which can be used in conjunction with the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 in Embodiment 1.

[0074] The rigid component 20 is configured as a sheet. Here, "sheet-like" means that the rigid component 20 has a relatively large surface area and a relatively small thickness. Its main surface extends along the height direction and length direction of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 and is located at the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10. When the rigid component 20 is attached to or bonded to the surface of the sidewall 11, its thickness direction is roughly along the width direction of the sole, representing its thickness extending outwards or inwards from the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10; its width direction is roughly along the thickness direction of the sole, representing its height on the sidewall 11 in the vertical direction. Therefore, the rigid component 20 is not laid flat between the upper and lower surfaces of the midsole 10, but rather arranged in a lateral sheet-like structure at the inner and outer sidewalls 11 of the midsole 10.

[0075] In this embodiment, the thickness direction of the rigid member 20 is consistent with the width direction of the sole, and the width direction of the rigid member 20 is consistent with the thickness direction of the sole. When the forefoot area of ​​the sole bends, the deformation of the midsole 10 will act on the width direction of the rigid member 20, and the larger size of the rigid member 20 in the width direction can better withstand the bending deformation of the midsole 10. Therefore, compared with the conventional plate-shaped rigid member set inside the midsole, the rigid member 20 in this embodiment can be set only on the surface of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10, which can also effectively constrain the bending position 12 of the forefoot area. This is beneficial to improve the bending stiffness of the forefoot while reducing the weight of the sole, and simplifying the assembly and molding process between the midsole and the sole.

[0076] The sheet-like rigid member 20 can also mate with the upper sidewall 13, lower sidewall 14, and stepped portion 15 in Embodiment 1. Specifically, the sidewall 11 of the insole 10 can also be divided into the upper sidewall 13 and the lower sidewall 14 in the thickness direction by the sheet-like rigid member 20. The lower sidewall 14 protrudes outward relative to the upper sidewall 13 at least in the portion corresponding to the bend 12, thereby forming a stepped portion 15 below the sheet-like rigid member 20. The lower edge or lower side region of the sheet-like rigid member 20 can be at least partially supported by the stepped portion 15 to improve the connection stability between the sheet-like rigid member 20 and the sidewall 11 of the insole 10.

[0077] In this embodiment, the rigid member 20 extends in an arc or zigzag shape along the outer contour of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10. The front end of the rigid member 20 is located in the forefoot area of ​​the midsole 10, and the rear end of the rigid member 20 extends past the bending point 12 and toward the midfoot. The upper and lower edges of the rigid member 20 can be spaced apart from the upper and lower edges of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10, or they can be set close to the upper or lower edge of the midsole 10 depending on the height of the sidewall. A continuous or partially continuous fixed area is formed between the rigid member 20 and the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10, so that the rigid member 20 can be subjected to force along the sidewall of the midsole 10 during forefoot bending and restrict the bending point 12 of the midsole 10.

[0078] exist Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the front ends of the two sheet-like rigid members 20 can be connected as a single unit through a front end connecting section to form a continuous rigid structure similar to that in Embodiment 1. That is, the sheet-like rigid members 20 can also adopt a front end connecting structure, allowing the two rigid members 20 to form an integrated linkage in the forefoot area. Alternatively, the sheet-like rigid members 20 can adopt the front end unconnected structure described in Embodiment 3 (described later), allowing the two rigid members 20 to be independently mounted on the two side walls 11 of the midsole 10.

[0079] Example 3 Reference Figure 4 The main difference between this embodiment and Embodiment 1 is that the front ends of the two rigid members 20 are not connected as one piece. The two rigid members 20 extend along the two side walls 11 in the width direction of the midsole 10, and cross the bending position 12 of the midsole 10 in the forefoot area. The front ends of the two rigid members 20 can be located at the front end of the midsole 10 or in the area adjacent to the front end of the forefoot, and the two are spaced apart from each other at the front end of the midsole 10.

[0080] In this embodiment, although the two rigid members 20 are not connected as a single unit at the front end of the midsole 10, each rigid member 20 still extends along the length of the sole and crosses the bending position 12 on the corresponding side. Therefore, when the forefoot area is subjected to bending force, each rigid member 20 can still limit the tensile, compressive, or local shear deformation of the corresponding sidewall 11 at the bending position 12, thereby improving the bending stiffness of the forefoot area of ​​the midsole 10.

[0081] Compared to the structure in Embodiment 1 where the front ends of the two rigid components 20 are connected as one piece, the front ends of the two rigid components 20 in this embodiment are independent of each other, which can reduce the amount of material used in the front end connection section and facilitate the simplification of the processing and assembly of the rigid components 20. Accordingly, when it is necessary to further improve the linkage and restriction capability between the two rigid components 20, the front end connection structure in Embodiment 1 can be adopted; when more emphasis is placed on lightweighting, ease of processing, or local compliance of the front end of the midsole 10, the front end unconnected structure in this embodiment can be adopted.

[0082] In this embodiment, the front end of the rigid member 20 can be located on the front side of the bending position 12 and extend rearward along the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 to the rear side of the bending position 12; the rear end of the rigid member 20 can extend to the midfoot area, or it can extend to the arch area or a more rearward position depending on the target stiffness of the sole. The length, front end position, and rear end position of the rigid member 20 can be adjusted according to the sole size, forefoot bending position, and target bending stiffness.

[0083] The rigid member 20 in this embodiment can be configured as a columnar, rod-shaped, or strip-shaped structure with an arc-shaped outer periphery as in Embodiment 1, or as a sheet-like structure as in Embodiment 2. Furthermore, the rigid member 20 in this embodiment can still cooperate with the upper sidewall 13, lower sidewall 14, and stepped portion 15 of the sidewall in Embodiment 1 to improve the connection stability between the rigid member 20 and the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10.

[0084] In one embodiment, the two rigid members 20 of this embodiment can be made of the same material and have the same size to form symmetrical restraints on both sides of the midsole 10. In another embodiment, the rigid member 20 on the outer wall can have a larger cross-sectional size, a larger local width, a higher material elastic modulus, or a larger fixed area, thereby giving the rigid member 20 on the outer wall a greater restraining ability against the bending position 12.

[0085] Example 4 Reference Figure 5 The main difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the size of the rigid member 20 varies along the length of the sole and has a larger size at least at the corresponding bending position 12.

[0086] In one embodiment, the rigid member 20 is configured as a sheet, the width of the rigid member 20 varies along the length direction of the sole, and has the maximum width at least at the location corresponding to the bending position 12. Figure 5 In the middle, the rigid member 20 extends along the side wall 11 of the midsole 10, and the middle area of ​​the corresponding bending position 12 occupies a large height dimension in the thickness direction of the sole, while the front and rear areas of the rigid member 20 are relatively narrow.

[0087] In this structure, the width variation of the rigid component 20 matches the bending requirements of the forefoot area of ​​the midsole 10. The area corresponding to the bending point 12 is the main bending location in the forefoot area of ​​the midsole 10. The rigid component 20 forms a larger sidewall 11 coverage height at this location, allowing the rigid component 20 to more directly bear the deformation of the sidewall 11 at the bending point 12. Moving away from the bending point 12 along the length of the sole, the width of the rigid component 20 gradually decreases, making the stiffness transition between the rigid component 20 and the midsole 10 smoother and reducing the amount of material used in non-primary bending areas.

[0088] In this embodiment, the width variation of the rigid member 20 can be achieved through upper edge undulation, lower edge undulation, or both upper and lower edges undulation. The maximum width of the rigid member 20 can be located in the central region of the bending position 12, or it can be set in the adjacent area on the front or rear side of the bending position 12 according to the needs of the sole structure. Regardless of the specific contour adopted, as long as the rigid member 20 has a relatively large sidewall 11 coverage height at the corresponding bending position 12, it can form a concentrated restriction on the deformation of the midsole 10 at the bending position 12.

[0089] In another embodiment, when the rigid member 20 is a columnar, rod-shaped, or strip-shaped structure with an arc-shaped outer periphery, the dimensional changes of the rigid member 20 can manifest as variations in the outer diameter, cross-sectional height, cross-sectional width, or cross-sectional area along the length of the sole. Specifically, the rigid member 20 can have a larger outer diameter or cross-sectional area at the location corresponding to the bending position 12, while having a smaller outer diameter or cross-sectional area in the non-primary bending areas on the front or rear side of the bending position 12. Thus, the deformation resistance of the rigid member 20 can be concentrated at the location where the forefoot bending requires the most constraint.

[0090] Specifically, the cross-sectional dimension of the rigid member 20 at the location corresponding to the bending point 12 can be larger than the cross-sectional dimension of its location in front of the bending point 12. The location corresponding to the bending point 12 is the main bending area of ​​the forefoot region of the midsole 10. The rigid member 20 has a larger cross-sectional dimension at this location, which can more directly bear the deformation of the sidewall 11 at the bending point 12. The location in front of the bending point 12 can correspond to the forefoot toe area or the adjacent area in front of the bending point 12. The cross-sectional dimension of this location is relatively small, which helps to reduce the amount of material used in the forefoot front area and reduce the impact of the rigid member 20 on the bending compliance of the sole and the wearing feel in the toe area.

[0091] In this embodiment, the size of the rigid member 20 can gradually decrease from the bending point 12 forward, or a locally thickened section, locally widened section, or locally heightened section can be formed at the bending point 12, with a continuous transition on the front and rear sides of this local area. The size change can be achieved by changing the outer perimeter contour, or by changing the number of material layers, locally thickening, locally widening, or composite structure.

[0092] In embodiments where the rigid members 20 on both sides employ different limiting capabilities, the outer wall rigid member 20 can adopt the size variation structure shown in this embodiment, while the inner wall rigid member 20 can adopt a structure with smaller dimensions or a smaller range of size variation. In this way, the sole forms a stronger bending position 12 constraint at the outer wall and retains a certain deformation space at the inner wall, thereby providing differentiated support for the forefoot area when bending.

[0093] Example 5 Reference Figure 6 The main difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the rigid member 20 is provided with a reinforcing part 21 at the corresponding bending position 12.

[0094] In one embodiment, the reinforcing portion 21 extends upward along the thickness direction of the sole relative to other parts of the rigid member 20, thereby increasing the local width of the rigid member 20 at the bending position 12. The reinforcing portion 21 and the rest of the rigid member 20 can be an integrally formed continuous structure, or it can be a locally widened structure fixedly connected to the main body of the rigid member 20.

[0095] In this embodiment, the reinforcing part 21 is located in the area where the rigid member 20 crosses the bending position 12, and extends to a certain extent along the length of the sole. The front and rear ends of the reinforcing part 21 can smoothly transition with the main body of the rigid member 20, so that the rigid member 20 does not form obvious sharp turns before and after the reinforcing part 21. When the forefoot area is subjected to bending force, the reinforcing part 21 increases the effective force-bearing height of the rigid member 20 at the bending position 12 along the thickness direction of the sole, so that the deformation of the sidewall 11 at the bending position 12 is more concentrated and more stably restricted.

[0096] In other embodiments, the reinforcing portion 21 may extend downward relative to other parts of the rigid member 20, or extend upward and downward simultaneously. The downwardly extending reinforcing portion 21 may engage with the area of ​​the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 near its lower surface; when extending upward and downward simultaneously, the vertical coverage of the rigid member 20 at the bend 12 is further increased. The specific extension direction and profile of the reinforcing portion 21 can be determined based on the height of the sidewall of the midsole 10, the bend position, and the target support strength of the sole.

[0097] When the rigid member 20 is a sheet-like structure, the reinforcing part 21 can be manifested as a locally widened area. This locally widened area can be formed by the upper edge of the rigid member 20 protruding upwards, or by the lower edge of the rigid member 20 protruding downwards, or by the upper and lower edges of the rigid member 20 protruding upwards and downwards respectively. In this way, the effective size of the sheet-like rigid member 20 along the thickness direction of the sole at the bending position 12 is increased, thereby enhancing the restriction on the deformation of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 at the bending position 12.

[0098] When the rigid member 20 is a columnar, rod-shaped, or strip-shaped structure with an arc-shaped outer periphery, the reinforcing part 21 can be manifested as a locally thickened section, a locally heightened section, or a region with an increased cross-sectional area. All of the above-mentioned reinforcing parts 21 can be set in the region where the rigid member 20 crosses the bending position 12, to concentrate and improve the deformation resistance of the rigid member 20 in that region.

[0099] In this embodiment, the reinforcing part 21 can be used in combination with the size-changing structure in Embodiment 4. For example, the rigid member 20 can form a larger area near the bending position 12, and the reinforcing part 21 can be further provided in this larger area. When the palm area bends, the larger area and the reinforcing part 21 work together on the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10, so that the local deformation at the bending position 12 is more strongly restricted; the area away from the bending position 12 serves as a force transmission and stiffness transition area.

[0100] Example 6 Reference Figure 7 The main difference between this embodiment and embodiment 5 is that the shape of the reinforcing part 21 is different.

[0101] In this embodiment, the rigid member 20 has a more obvious locally widened or locally thickened area at the position corresponding to the bending position 12, and this locally widened or locally thickened area constitutes the reinforcing part 21. Compared with embodiment 5, the reinforcing part 21 in this embodiment has a more concentrated coverage area in the length direction of the sole, and the front and rear sides of the reinforcing part 21 form a continuous transition with the main body of the rigid member 20.

[0102] In this embodiment, the rigid member 20 can simultaneously have a width that varies along its length and a reinforcing portion 21 corresponding to the bending position 12. Specifically, the rigid member 20 has a maximum width portion near the bending position 12, and the reinforcing portion 21 is located in this maximum width portion. The rigid member 20 gradually narrows forward and backward from this portion. When the forefoot area bends, the maximum width portion and the reinforcing portion 21 work together on the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10, thus concentrating and restricting the local deformation at the bending position 12. The narrowed area away from the bending position 12 serves as a force transmission and transition area, causing the constraint of the rigid member 20 on the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 to gradually change from strong to weak.

[0103] In this embodiment, the outer wall rigid member 20 may be provided with the aforementioned reinforcing part 21, while the inner wall rigid member 20 may not be provided with the reinforcing part 21, or may be provided with a smaller reinforcing part 21. In this way, the outer wall rigid member 20 forms a higher restraining capacity at the bending position 12, while the inner wall rigid member 20 maintains a better fit and bending compliance with the midsole 10.

[0104] In other embodiments, the reinforcing portion 21 of this embodiment can also be applied to a columnar, rod-shaped, or strip-shaped rigid member 20 with an arc-shaped outer peripheral surface. In this case, the reinforcing portion 21 can manifest as a local increase in the outer diameter, local increase in the cross-sectional height, or local increase in the cross-sectional area of ​​the rigid member 20. This structure has the same function as the local widening structure of the sheet-like rigid member 20, both used to give the rigid member 20 stronger local resistance to deformation at the bending position 12.

[0105] Compared with Embodiment 5, the reinforcing part 21 in this embodiment can have a more prominent local shape. For example, the reinforcing part 21 can form a shorter concentrated reinforcing section at the bending position 12, so that the deformation resistance of the rigid member 20 can be more concentrated on the main bending area of ​​the forefoot; or a gentler contour transition can be formed before and after the bending position 12, so that the rigid member 20 can reduce abrupt stiffness changes while enhancing the bending restriction capability.

[0106] Example 7 Reference Figure 8 The main difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the rigid member 20 branches into at least two rearwardly extending forked strips 22 before passing the bending position 12. The two forked strips 22 are located on the same sidewall 11 surface and are spaced apart in the thickness direction of the sole. As the sole length direction moves rearward, the gap between the two forked strips 22 gradually increases, so that the two forked strips 22 correspond to different height positions of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10.

[0107] In this embodiment, the front portion of the rigid member 20 can be a continuous root located in front of or adjacent to the front portion of the bend 12. Rearward from this root, the rigid member 20 is divided into an upper forked strip 22 and a lower forked strip 22. The upper forked strip 22 extends rearward along the upper part of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10, and the lower forked strip 22 extends rearward along the lower part of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10. Both forked strips 22 can cross the bend 12 or at least cover the rear adjacent area of ​​the bend 12, thus acting together on the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10.

[0108] Since the two bifurcated strips 22 are connected to each other at the front of the same rigid member 20 before bifurcating, the two bifurcated strips 22 can act as extensions of the same rigid member 20 to jointly bear the deformation of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 when under stress. The gradually increasing interval between the bifurcated strips 22 allows the restraint range of the rigid member 20 on the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 to gradually extend from the concentrated restraint near the bending position 12 to different height areas at the rear, which can avoid the stiffness change being too concentrated and make the restraint of the rear end of the rigid member 20 on the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 more dispersed.

[0109] The rigid member 20 is designed as a bifurcated structure, rather than simply having two parallel rigid members 20 on the same sidewall 11. This design ensures that the two bifurcated strips 22 remain continuously connected by the integral portion before the bifurcation. Consequently, when subjected to force, the two bifurcated strips 22 do not independently restrict the deformation of the midsole 10, but rather share and transmit the deformation of the midsole 10 at the bending point 12 through the overall structure of the same rigid member 20. This avoids unstable restraint effects caused by assembly errors, differences in connection strength, or asynchronous force application between the two independent rigid members 20. Furthermore, it reduces the number of ends of the independent rigid members 20, lowering the risk of end warping, peeling, or localized stress concentration.

[0110] Furthermore, the spacing between the bifurcated strips 22 gradually increases rearward along the length of the sole, allowing the constraint effect of the rigid component 20 on the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 to gradually transition from concentrated constraint near the bending point 12 to dispersed constraint in the rearward region. This improves the forefoot bending stiffness while making the stiffness change in the rearward region of the rigid component 20 smoother. In addition, the two bifurcated strips 22 can respectively grip two different positions of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10. When the rigid component 20 is subjected to force due to deformation of the bending point 12 of the midsole 10, it can better hold the midsole 10 on both sides of the bending point 12, thereby reducing the deformation of the rigid component 20 itself and improving the ability of the rigid component 20 to restrict the bending of the midsole 10.

[0111] In other embodiments, the rigid member 20 may also branch into three or more branch strips 22. The multiple branch strips 22 may be arranged sequentially at intervals along the thickness direction of the sole, or they may form different bending paths according to the contour of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10. The width, length, and end position of each branch strip 22 may be the same or different, as long as they are continuously connected through the integral part before branching and collectively participate in limiting the deformation of the midsole 10 at the forefoot flexure position 12.

[0112] The bifurcated structure in this embodiment can be used in combination with the size variation structure, the reinforcing part 21 structure, the front end connection structure, or the inner and outer differentiated structure in the aforementioned embodiments. For example, the rigid member 20 on the outer wall can bifurcate into two bifurcated strips 22 before passing the bend 12 to enhance the restraint of the outer wall on the area behind the bend 12; the rigid member 20 on the inner wall may not have a bifurcated structure, or may have a bifurcated structure with a small bifurcation interval to maintain appropriate compliance of the inner wall area.

[0113] When the rigid member 20 is sheet-like, the bifurcated strip 22 can be manifested as multiple sheet-like segments branched off from the same sheet-like rigid member 20; when the rigid member 20 is column-like, rod-like, or a strip-like structure with an arc-shaped outer peripheral surface, the bifurcated strip 22 can be manifested as multiple strip-like bifurcated segments branched off from the same strip-like rigid member 20. All of the above bifurcated structures can be configured in conjunction with the stepped portion 15 in Embodiment 1 to improve the support and connection stability of the rigid member 20 on the surface of the side wall 11.

[0114] Example 8 Reference Figure 9 The main difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment is that the rigid member 20 has a connecting protrusion 23 protruding from the side facing the midsole 10, and the connecting protrusion 23 is embedded in the midsole 10 along the width direction of the sole. Figure 9 One structure of the rigid member 20 is shown, wherein the connecting protrusion 23 protrudes from the rigid member 20 toward the middle bottom 10.

[0115] The connecting protrusion 23 can be a low dot-shaped protrusion, a plate-shaped protrusion, a rib, or a tongue-shaped structure that is integral and continuous with the main body of the rigid member 20. The connecting protrusion 23 extends from the inner region of the rigid member 20 toward the interior of the midsole 10, so that the rigid member 20 and the midsole 10 form an embedded fit in addition to being embedded on the surface of the side wall 11 and supported by the step portion 15.

[0116] In this embodiment, the extending direction of the connecting protrusion 23 is consistent with or approximately consistent with the width direction of the sole. For the rigid member 20 located on the outer wall, the connecting protrusion 23 can be embedded into the midsole 10 from the outer wall inward; for the rigid member 20 located on the inner wall, the connecting protrusion 23 can be embedded into the midsole 10 from the inner wall outward. After the connecting protrusion 23 is embedded into the midsole 10, it can form a mechanical engagement with the midsole 10, thereby improving the anti-peeling ability of the rigid member 20 during repeated bending.

[0117] In one embodiment, the connecting protrusion 23 extends at least beyond the centerline of the midsole 10 in the width direction of the sole. Here, the centerline can be understood as the central position or central region of the midsole 10 in the width direction. When the connecting protrusion 23 extends beyond the centerline, it has a longer embedding length, enabling it to abut against or restrain the internal material of the midsole 10 when the rigid member 20 is subjected to a peeling tendency, thereby reducing the risk of the rigid member 20 detaching from the sidewall 11.

[0118] In another embodiment, there can be multiple connecting protrusions 23, which are staggered along the length of the sole. Multiple connecting protrusions 23 can be located on the same rigid member 20 or on separate rigid members 20 on both sides. When the connecting protrusions 23 are staggered along the length of the sole, they can provide reinforcement at different locations, preventing stress concentration or material damage in localized areas of the midsole 10 due to excessive concentration of connecting structures.

[0119] In other embodiments, each of the two rigid members 20 may be provided with a connecting protrusion 23, and the two protrusions are positioned corresponding to the bending position 12. In this way, the connecting protrusion 23 not only serves as a reinforcing structure connecting the rigid member 20 and the midsole 10, but also participates in the process of improving the bending stiffness of the midsole 10. The connecting protrusion 23 can form a local anti-deformation structure inside the midsole 10, and together with the rigid member 20 on the surface of the sidewall 11, it restricts the deformation of the midsole 10 at the bending position 12.

[0120] It should be noted that the connecting protrusion 23 in this embodiment and the step portion 15 in Embodiment 1 can be provided simultaneously or one of them can be provided. The step portion 15 is mainly formed by the lower wall 14 of the side wall of the midsole 10 protruding outward relative to the upper wall 13 of the side wall, and is used to support the rigid member 20 from below; the connecting protrusion 23 is mainly formed by the rigid member 20 protruding from the side facing the midsole 10, and is used to embed into the midsole 10 along the width direction of the sole. When the two are combined, the rigid member 20 and the midsole 10 can simultaneously form a lower support and an internal embedding connection, thereby further improving the fixation strength between the rigid member 20 and the midsole 10.

[0121] It should be noted that the rigid member 20 in the aforementioned embodiments can be fixed to the midsole 10 by adhesive bonding. Specifically, the side of the rigid member 20 facing the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 can be fixed to the surface of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 by adhesive, so that the rigid member 20 is embedded in the surface of the two sidewalls 11 after the midsole 10 is formed. The rigid member 20 can also be fixed to the midsole 10 by thermoforming, in-mold bonding, surface covering, embedding of connecting protrusions 23, or a combination of the above methods. Regardless of the fixing method used, the rigid member 20 should maintain a reliable connection with the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 during bending in the forefoot area, and should be able to transfer the deformation of the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 to the rigid member 20.

[0122] Furthermore, the rigid component 20 can be made of carbon fiber, nylon, thermoplastic polyurethane, glass fiber composite, metal, or a composite of at least two of these materials. The rigid component 20 can be made of a single material or formed from multiple layers of materials. For example, the rigid component 20 may include a carbon fiber reinforcement layer, a resin matrix layer, a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material layer, or a metal reinforcement layer. The rigid component 20 can also be locally configured with different thicknesses, densities, or numbers of reinforcement layers according to the stress requirements of different areas. The specific material, number of layers, cross-sectional dimensions, width, thickness, and profile of the rigid component 20 can be selected based on the target bending stiffness, weight, and bending resistance requirements of the shoe sole.

[0123] In the shoe of the present invention, the upper is attached to the sole in any of the above embodiments. Because the sole uses rigid members 20 disposed on the surfaces of the two side walls 11 in the width direction of the midsole 10 to constrain the forefoot flexure position 12, the shoe can obtain more stable forefoot flexure support during running push-off. Furthermore, this shoe can improve forefoot flexure stiffness without relying on a large-area plate-like rigid member inside the midsole, thereby balancing athletic support performance, overall shoe lightweighting, and manufacturing convenience.

[0124] Meanwhile, since the sidewall 11 of the midsole 10 is provided with a step portion 15 for supporting the rigid member 20 at least in the part corresponding to the bending position 12, the connection stability between the rigid member 20 and the midsole 10 is higher, which is conducive to improving the structural reliability of the shoe during long-term repeated bending and stepping.

[0125] It should be noted that the aforementioned embodiments can be implemented individually or in combination without contradicting each other. For example, the two rigid members 20 connected at the front end can simultaneously be provided with a size-changing structure, a reinforcing part 21, a forked strip 22, or a connecting protrusion 23; the two rigid members 20 not connected at the front end can also be provided with a size-changing structure, a reinforcing part 21, a forked strip 22, or a connecting protrusion 23 respectively; the outer wall rigid member 20 can be made of a different material, with different cross-sectional dimensions, width, and with different reinforcing parts 21 or connecting protrusions 23 than the inner wall rigid member 20; the connecting protrusion 23 can be used in conjunction with an adhesive fixing method to simultaneously enhance the surface bonding and internal restraint between the rigid member 20 and the midsole 10.

[0126] The foregoing description of the specifications and embodiments is intended to explain the scope of protection of this invention, but does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this invention. Modifications, equivalent substitutions, or other improvements to the embodiments of this invention or a portion thereof that can be obtained by those skilled in the art through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation, based on the teachings of this invention or the foregoing embodiments, in conjunction with common knowledge, general technical knowledge, and / or existing technology, should all be included within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. A shoe sole, characterized in that it comprises: Midsole (10); Two rigid members (20) are respectively embedded on the surface of the two side walls (11) in the width direction of the midsole (10) and extend along the length direction of the sole. Each rigid member (20) crosses the bending position (12) of the midsole (10) in the forefoot area. The sidewall (11) of the midsole (10) is divided into an upper sidewall (13) and a lower sidewall (14) in the thickness direction of the midsole (10) by the rigid member (20); at least in the portion corresponding to the bend (12), the lower sidewall (14) protrudes outward relative to the upper sidewall (13) to form a step portion (15) supporting the rigid member (20). The elastic modulus of the material constituting the rigid member (20) is greater than that of the material constituting the midsole (10).

2. The sole as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rigid member (20) is configured as a column, rod, or strip structure with an arc-shaped outer periphery.

3. The sole as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rigid member (20) is plate-shaped, and the thickness direction of the rigid member (20) is consistent with the width direction of the sole.

4. The sole as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The front ends of the two rigid members (20) extend to the front end of the midsole (10) and are connected as one piece.

5. The sole as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The two sidewalls (11) are an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall, respectively. The rigid member (20) located on the outer sidewall provides a greater ability to restrict the bending position (12) of the midsole (10) than the rigid member (20) located on the inner sidewall.

6. The sole as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The rigid member (20) located on the outer wall has a larger cross-sectional dimension at least at the bend (12) than the rigid member (20) located on the inner wall at the bend (12).

7. The sole as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The cross-sectional dimensions of the rigid member (20) vary along the length of the sole and have the largest cross-sectional dimensions at least at the location corresponding to the bending position (12).

8. The sole as described in claim 7, characterized in that, The cross-sectional dimension of the rigid member (20) at the location corresponding to the bend (12) is greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the location in front of the bend (12).

9. The sole as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The width of the rigid member (20) varies along the length of the sole and has the maximum width at least at the location corresponding to the bend (12).

10. The sole as described in claim 9, characterized in that, The rigid member (20) has a reinforcing part (21) that extends upward and / or downward relative to other parts along the thickness direction of the sole at the location corresponding to the bending position (12).

11. The sole as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rigid member (20) branches into at least two rearwardly extending forked strips (22) before passing the bend (12) backwards, the two forked strips (22) being spaced apart in the thickness direction of the sole and the distance of the space gradually increasing backwards along the length direction of the sole.

12. The sole as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rigid member (20) has a connecting protrusion (23) protruding from one side toward the midsole (10), and the connecting protrusion (23) is embedded into the midsole (10) along the width direction of the sole.

13. The sole as described in claim 12, characterized in that, The connecting protrusion (23) extends at least beyond the centerline of the midsole (10) in the width direction of the sole; and / or, the number of the connecting protrusions (23) is multiple, and each of the connecting protrusions (23) is staggered along the length direction of the sole.

14. The sole as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The rigid component (20) is bonded and fixed to the midsole (10).

15. The sole as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that, The rigid component (20) is a component made of carbon fiber, nylon, thermoplastic polyurethane, glass fiber composite, metal, or a composite of at least two of these materials.

16. A type of shoe, characterized in that, It includes an upper and a sole as described in any one of claims 1-15, wherein the upper is attached to the sole.

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