Sole supporting plate for sports shoes and sole structure with same

Abstract

The utility model relates to a sole supporting plate for sports shoes, which is divided into a toe area, a metatarsophalangeal joint area, an arch area and a heel area from front to back along the longitudinal direction, and comprises a head part, a sole part and a sole part, the bearing plate is located in the heel area; a pair of side strips having a lowest point in the metatarsophalangeal joint region; the first transverse strip is used for connecting the side strips on the two sides in the transverse direction; the deformation element is located in the metatarsophalangeal joint area and abuts against the side, close to the head, of the first transverse strip; the first deformation unit is located on the side edge strip, and the second deformation unit and the third deformation unit are provided with mechanical nonreciprocity structures. The shoe sole supporting plate forms outward expansion deformation due to downward gravity, the outward expansion deformation is converted into lifting of the heel of the shoe sole supporting plate, meanwhile, after the heel is lifted, a passive lever is formed through force conduction and rolling, and therefore forward propelling force is formed. The utility model further relates to a sole structure with the sole supporting plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of athletic shoes. Specifically, it relates to a sole support plate and sole structure that converts gravity into propulsion force, thereby enhancing propulsion during exercise. Another aspect of this utility model relates to athletic shoes incorporating the sole structure of this utility model. Background Technology

[0002] In competitive sports, the performance differences between athletes are often very small. Take running, especially marathons, for example. Even a small improvement in an athlete's running efficiency through improved technique or equipment (such as running shoes) can have a significant impact on the outcome. One way to improve running efficiency is to reduce the weight of the shoes. Since marathon runners wear lighter shoes, their aerobic energy expenditure is reduced, resulting in faster marathon speeds. Another method is to incorporate carbon fiber plates into the sole. Adding rigid carbon fiber plates improves running economy. During running, the carbon fiber plates increase the shoe's flexural stiffness. Upon contact with the ground, the carbon fiber plates, with their "seesaw" effect, change the direction of the ground reaction force, providing propulsion and improving the wearer's running efficiency.

[0003] When running in shoes, the human body propels itself forward by pushing off the ground. To mitigate the impact of this push-off motion, athletic shoe soles are often made of soft materials such as EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) or ETPU (expanded thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer), offering advantages like softness, comfort, and good shock absorption. To enhance propulsion, some athletic shoes incorporate carbon fiber plates with superior hardness and elasticity into the sole. Racing carbon fiber plates feature an arc-shaped elastic structure at the forefoot that conforms to the foot's contour. Adjustment devices on both sides of the sole allow for curvature adjustment of this structure, or the carbon fiber plate can quickly return to its original shape after deformation, promoting sole rebound and providing propulsion. Furthermore, carbon fiber plates are not static; their propulsion can be enhanced through optimization with other structural designs, leading to better performance for athletes wearing shoes with these plates. Utility Model Content

[0004] Therefore, the purpose of this invention is to improve the propulsion performance of athletic shoes, distinguishing it from existing propulsion structures on the market, such as one-piece propulsion structures with carbon fiber plates added to the sole, and a few double-layered propulsion structures. To further enhance propulsion, this invention provides a one-piece, irregularly shaped, three-dimensional sole support plate that can be embedded in the midsole of the shoe.

[0005] This utility model provides a shoe sole support plate, which is divided longitudinally from front to back into a toe area, a metatarsophalangeal joint area, an arch area, and a heel area. The shoe sole support plate includes: a head located in the toe area and extending laterally; a support plate located in the heel area; a pair of side strips extending laterally from one end of the head through the metatarsophalangeal joint area and the arch area to one end of the support plate, having a lowest point in the metatarsophalangeal joint area, and the side strips on both sides of the lowest point in the metatarsophalangeal joint area and the arch area curving upwards with a certain arc; a first horizontal strip located at the connection between the metatarsophalangeal joint area and the arch area of ​​the shoe sole support plate, connecting the two side strips in the lateral direction; and a deformation element located in the metatarsophalangeal joint area abutting against the first horizontal strip near the head side, wherein the deformation element is operatively connected or force-transmittingly connected to the two side strips, so that the deformation element can cause the side strips to deform laterally in response to a downward force.

[0006] Therefore, since all known propulsion structures transmit force through a single lever, and the propulsive force achievable through a single lever is always limited due to limitations in materials, structure, and product design itself, the present invention provides a sole support plate that utilizes a double-lever principle. During movement, the downward force of gravity causes the sole support plate to deform, forming an active lever, thereby generating an outward expansion deformation. Through the non-reciprocal mechanical structure of the sole support plate of this invention, the outward expansion deformation is transformed into lifting the heel of the support plate. Simultaneously, after the heel is lifted, a passive lever is formed through force transmission and rolling, thereby generating a forward propulsive force.

[0007] As a preferred aspect of this utility model, it also includes a second horizontal strip located on the side of the arch region near the heel region, for connecting the two side strips, which is arranged parallel to the first horizontal strip.

[0008] As a preferred aspect of the present invention, the side strip also has a first deformation unit on the side strip between the head and the first horizontal strip, which extends 5 to 15 mm along the side strip, and the ratio of the horizontal width to the horizontal width of the side strip is 1:2.

[0009] As a preferred aspect of this utility model, the side strip between the first and second horizontal strips further includes a second deformation unit with a mechanically non-reciprocal structure, which is laterally inclined toward the inside of the sole support plate, extends longitudinally along the side strip by 5 to 15 mm, and forms an inclination angle of 60° to 70° with the horizontal direction. The ratio of the lateral width to the lateral width of the side strip is 1:2, and the side strip also laterally inclines toward the inside of the sole support plate near the second deformation unit.

[0010] As a preferred aspect of this utility model, the side strip between the second horizontal strip and the support plate also includes a third deformation unit with a mechanically non-reciprocal structure, which is laterally inclined to the outside of the shoe sole support plate, extends longitudinally along the side strip by 5 to 15 mm, and has an inclination angle of 60° to 70° with the horizontal direction. The ratio of the lateral width to the lateral width of the side strip is 1:2, and the side strip also laterally inclines to the outside of the shoe sole support plate near the third deformation unit.

[0011] As a preferred aspect of this utility model, a fourth deformation unit and a fifth deformation unit are respectively arranged in the middle area of ​​the first horizontal bar and the second horizontal bar, with an extension length of 5 to 15 mm in the middle part of the first horizontal bar and the second horizontal bar, and the ratio of their longitudinal thickness to the longitudinal thickness of the first horizontal bar and the second horizontal bar is 1:2.

[0012] As a preferred aspect of the present invention, the head also has a notch that extends longitudinally from the middle area of ​​the front end of the head to the rear end of the head. When viewed from above, the end of the notch has a rounded corner, a lateral width of 8 to 10 mm, and a longitudinal depth of 15 to 20 mm.

[0013] As a preferred aspect of this utility model, the sole support plate also has a deformable element, which is located in the metatarsophalangeal joint area and abuts against the side of the first horizontal bar near the head. It is constructed as a hollow column with openings on opposite front and rear sides and is supported by ribs inside. The outer frame is formed by two side walls, an upper wall and a lower wall. Two ribs extend symmetrically in the horizontal direction from the middle position of the inner surface of the two side walls of the deformable element. The ratio of the lateral length of the extension to the lateral length of the deformable element is 3:8. Multiple ribs are arranged on the ribs in the horizontal direction and are evenly distributed in the horizontal direction. The ribs extend from the horizontal ribs in the horizontal direction towards the inner surface of the upper wall or the inner surface of the lower wall of the deformable element, and incline towards the opposite horizontal ribs, with the angle between the ribs and the horizontal direction ranging from 60° to 70°.

[0014] As a preferred aspect of this utility model, it also includes multiple supplementary deformation elements, which have a similar structure to the deformation element but are thinner in the longitudinal direction than the deformation element. These elements are arranged together with the deformation element in the hollow portion of the metatarsophalangeal joint area of ​​the shoe sole support plate.

[0015] This utility model also provides a shoe sole structure, which includes an upper midsole and a lower midsole that are connected to each other, a shoe sole support plate built between the upper midsole and the lower midsole, and a shoe outsole, wherein the shoe sole support plate is a shoe sole support plate having the above-mentioned features. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The embodiments of this utility model will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0017] Figure 1 A side view of the shoe sole support plate according to the present invention is shown;

[0018] Figure 2 A perspective view of the shoe sole support plate according to the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 3 A perspective view of the shoe sole support plate according to the present invention is shown;

[0020] Figure 4 An exploded view of the midsole of a sports shoe according to the present invention is shown.

[0021] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0022] 100 - Shoe sole support plate; 110 - Toe; 111 - Notch; 120 - Side strip; 121 - First deformation unit; 122 - Second deformation unit; 123 - Third deformation unit; 130 - First horizontal strip; 131 - Fourth deformation unit; 140 - Second horizontal strip; 141 - Fifth deformation unit; 150 - Support plate; 160 - Deformation element; 200 - Shoe midsole; 210 - Upper midsole; 220 - Lower midsole; L - Length of shoe sole support plate; L1 - Length of toe area; L2 - Length of metatarsophalangeal joint area; L3 - Length of arch area; L4 - Length of heel area; X - Lateral; Y - Longitudinal; Z - Vertical. Detailed Implementation

[0023] In this paper, "mechanical non-reciprocity" refers to the asymmetric transmission of mechanical quantities between two points in space. Unlike materials that are generally "mechanically reciprocal," whose deformation patterns or responses are largely the same under the action of two forces acting in opposite directions, materials or mechanical structures that are "mechanically non-reciprocal" exhibit substantially different deformation patterns or responses when subjected to forces of the same magnitude in two different directions. As an example, some research has been conducted by those skilled in the art on the design of mechanically non-reciprocal structures. For instance, the paper "Corentin C, Dimitrios S, Andrea A. Static non reciprocity in mechanical metamaterials.[J].Nature,2017,542(7642):461 464." designed a fishbone non-reciprocal structure, breaking the reciprocity of nonlinear static systems and achieving asymmetric displacement output. The paper "Xiang W, Zhihao L, Shuxu W, et al. Mechanical nonreciprocity in a uniform composite material.[J]. Science (New York, NY), 2023, 380(6641): 192-198" designed a nonreciprocal hydrogel structure with an asymmetric response to shear force. This material exhibits an elastic modulus that is more than 60 times higher in one direction than in the opposite direction when sheared. The above content is included in the scope of this paper. Due to the structural design of "mechanical nonreciprocity", it is possible to efficiently convert the force applied in one direction into the force in another direction, thereby achieving force redirection.

[0024] In this document, the terms "first deformation unit," "second deformation unit," "third deformation unit," and so on up to "fifth deformation unit" are used only to distinguish deformation units located in different positions. This designation does not imply that these deformation units must have the same or different structures. An embodiment may have a fourth deformation unit (as described below), but this is not mandatory and does not mean that a second and / or third deformation unit must also be present. This fully discloses and includes embodiments that, for example, have a first and a fourth deformation unit, but, for example, do not have a second deformation unit.

[0025] In this article, the term "athletic shoes" can be applied to a wide range of footwear suitable for various everyday or sporting occasions, including but not limited to: walking shoes, running shoes, casual shoes, tennis shoes, soccer shoes, American soccer shoes, basketball shoes, cross-training shoes, spiked shoes, golf shoes, etc.

[0026] The term "longitudinal" refers to the direction in which a component extends a certain length. For example, the longitudinal direction of an athletic shoe extends between the forefoot and heel areas. The terms "forward" or "forward-facing" are used to refer to the general direction from the heel area toward the forefoot area, and the terms "backward" or "rearward-facing" are used to refer to the opposite direction, i.e., from the forefoot area toward the heel area. In some cases, a component can be identified by a longitudinal axis and the forward and backward longitudinal directions along that axis. The longitudinal direction or axis can also be referred to as the fore-rear direction or axis.

[0027] The term "lateral" refers to the direction in which a component extends a certain width. For example, the lateral direction of an athletic shoe extends between the outer and inner sides of the shoe. The lateral direction or axis can also be referred to as the lateral direction or axis, or the mid-outer direction or axis.

[0028] The term "vertical" or "upright" refers to a direction that is approximately perpendicular to both the horizontal and vertical directions. For example, in the case where the sole structure is laid flat on the ground surface, the vertical direction can extend upwards from the ground surface. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives can be applied to an individual component of the sole structure. The term "upwards" or "facing upwards" refers to a vertical direction pointing towards the top of the component. The term "downwards" or "facing downwards" refers to a vertical direction opposite to the upwards direction, pointing towards the bottom of the component, and can generally point towards the bottom of the sole structure of the athletic shoe.

[0029] Furthermore, for consistency and convenience, directional adjectives may be used throughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. Those skilled in the art will recognize that terms such as “above,” “below,” “upward,” “downward,” “top,” and “bottom” may be used descriptively with respect to the drawings without implying limitation on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. The term “horizontal” refers to a plane extending in both the longitudinal and transverse directions and perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0030] Unless the context explicitly or clearly indicates otherwise, all numerical values ​​of parameters (e.g., quantities or conditions) in this specification and claims should be understood to be modified in all cases by the terms “about” or “approximately”, regardless of whether “about” or “approximately” actually precedes the numerical value. “About” implies that the stated numerical value allows for some slight imprecision (approximately close to the exact value; approximately or moderately close to the value; almost). If the imprecision provided by “about” or “approximately” is not understood in this ordinary sense in the art, then “about” or “approximately” as used herein at least indicates variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring and using these parameters.

[0031] The sole support plate 100 is generally a plate-like structure made of carbon fiber reinforced material and similar in shape to the sole. Figure 1 A side view of the sole support plate 100 according to the present invention is shown. Viewed from the side, the sole support plate 100 is generally "spoon-shaped". The sole support plate 100 includes a toe area, a metatarsophalangeal joint area, an arch area, and a heel area. The toe area corresponds to the toe area at the front of the wearer's foot; the metatarsophalangeal joint area corresponds to the metatarsophalangeal joint portion extending between the toes and the arch; the arch area corresponds to the arch portion of the wearer's foot located in the middle area; and the heel area corresponds to the heel area at the rear of the wearer's foot. Compared to existing carbon fiber plates placed within the midsole, the sole support plate 100 according to the present invention provides greater propulsion. The sole support plate 100 is designed with a hollow structure, meaning its shape roughly conforms to the shape of the sole or foot, and a portion of the interior of the sole support plate 100 is designed as a hollow structure extending vertically.

[0032] More specifically, the sole support plate 100 is centered on the metatarsophalangeal joint area, with the toe areas and arch areas at both ends curving upwards. The heel area connects to the arch area, extending obliquely upwards at a less steep angle than the arch area, forming an overall "spoon shape." The lowest point of the "spoon-shaped" sole support plate 100 at the metatarsophalangeal joint area serves as the fulcrum for a "seesaw effect," converting the pressure from the forefoot area into propulsive force on the heel area. The angle between the toe area and the horizontal direction is the curvature angle α, the angle between the arch area and the horizontal direction is the curvature angle b, and the angle between the heel area and the horizontal direction is the curvature angle c. The "spoon" section, comprised of the toe area, metatarsophalangeal joint area, and arch area of ​​the sole support plate 100, is roughly symmetrical about the lowest point of the metatarsophalangeal joint area. The angle of inclination 'a' between the toe area and the horizontal direction ranges from 15° to 25°, and the angle of inclination 'b' between the arch area and the horizontal direction also ranges from 15° to 25°. The heel area forms the "spoon handle," with an angle of inclination 'c' between the heel area and the horizontal direction ranging from 6° to 10°.

[0033] The sole support plate 100 preferably has a length L that is approximately 20-30 cm shorter than the length of the midsole 200. Specifically, the toe area length L1 accounts for approximately 18%-22% of the total length of the sole support plate 100, the metatarsophalangeal joint area length L2 accounts for approximately 18%-22% of the total length of the sole support plate 100, the arch area length L3 accounts for approximately 34%-36% of the total length of the sole support plate 100, and the heel area length L4 accounts for approximately 24%-26% of the total length of the sole support plate 100.

[0034] See Figure 2The image shows a perspective view of a shoe sole support plate 100 according to the present invention. The shoe sole support plate 100 includes a head 110 located at the front end of the shoe sole support plate 100, paired side strips 120 extending from both sides of the head 110 for connecting the head 110 and a support plate 150, a first horizontal strip 130 located at the junction of the metatarsophalangeal joint region and the arch region of the shoe sole support plate 100, connecting the two side strips 120 in the lateral direction, a second horizontal strip 140 located in the arch region near the heel region for connecting the two side strips 120, a support plate 150 located in the heel region, one end of which is connected to both sides of the two side strips 120, and a deformable element 160 located in the metatarsophalangeal joint region abutting against the first horizontal strip 130 near the head 110.

[0035] From a top view, the head 110 of the sole support plate 100 is shaped similarly to the contour of a toe, with a notch 111 extending longitudinally from the middle region of the front end of the head 110. From a top view, the notch 111 has rounded corners at its end, a lateral width of 8-10 mm, and a longitudinal depth of 15-20 mm. On the one hand, the notch 111 in the head 110 reduces the weight of the sole support plate 100, reducing material usage and production costs. On the other hand, the presence of the notch 111 allows the sole support plate 100 to deform as expected under the deformation of the deformation element 160, enabling its deformation to provide stronger propulsion. Simultaneously, because the notch 111 reduces the weight of the sole support plate 100, when used in conjunction with the midsole, since the midsole is generally made of foam material with a lower density than the sole support plate 100, the overall weight of the sole including the sole support plate 100 and the athletic shoe including the sole will be reduced. As mentioned earlier, when the sole thickness and the propulsion and cushioning effects of the sole on the athlete's movement are basically the same, reducing the mass of the athletic shoe will improve the athlete's athletic economy and performance.

[0036] More specifically, the side strips 120 in the sole support plate 100 are elongated strips with a vertical thickness greater than their horizontal width, and the ratio of their vertical thickness to their horizontal width is approximately in the range of 3:1 to 4:1. On the side strips 120 located on both sides of the sole support plate 100, near the connection between the metatarsophalangeal joint region and the toe region, a first deformation unit 121 with a mechanically non-reciprocal structure is arranged. The first deformation unit 121 extends longitudinally on the side strip 120 by 5 mm to 15 mm, and its horizontal width is thinner than the horizontal width of the side strip 120. The ratio of the horizontal width of the first deformation unit 121 to the horizontal width of the side strip 120 is approximately 1:2. Similar to the notch 111 of the aforementioned head 110, the arrangement of the first deformation unit 121 allows the side strip 120 to deform more flexibly after the deformation element 160 is subjected to pressure and undergoes horizontal deformation, thereby generating the required propulsive force.

[0037] The side strip 120 also has a second deformation unit 122 with a mechanically non-reciprocal structure arranged in the middle of the arch region. The second deformation unit 122 is inclined inward, forming an angle with the horizontal direction, ranging from 60° to 70°. Similar to the first deformation unit 121, the lateral width of the second deformation unit 122 is thinner than the lateral width of the side strip 120, with a lateral width ratio of approximately 1:2. The side strip 120 also has a third deformation unit 123 with a mechanically non-reciprocal structure arranged near the connection between the arch region and the heel region. It is inclined outward relative to the sole support plate 100, with an angle with the horizontal direction ranging from 60° to 70°. Similar to the first deformation unit 121 and the second deformation unit 122, the lateral width of the third deformation unit 123 is also thinner than the lateral width of the side strip 120, with a lateral width ratio of approximately 1:2. The side strip 120 connects the first deformation unit 121, the second deformation unit 122, and the third deformation unit 123 in sequence, and it tilts laterally toward the inside or outside of the sole support plate 100 along with the second deformation unit 122 or the third deformation unit 123.

[0038] In addition to the head 110, support plate 150, and side strips 120 connecting the head 110 and support plate 150, the sole support plate 100 also has a first horizontal strip 130 at the connection between the metatarsophalangeal joint area and the arch area for connecting the two side strips 120 in the lateral direction. This first horizontal strip 130 is generally arranged in a horizontal rod shape. Similar to the side strips 120, its vertical thickness is greater than its longitudinal width, with a ratio between 1.5:1 and 2:1. Preferably, the vertical thickness of the first horizontal strip 130 is the same as that of the side strips 120. A fourth deformation unit 131 is arranged in the middle portion of the first horizontal strip 130, extending 5-15 mm in length. The longitudinal thickness of the fourth deformation unit 131 is thinner than that of the first horizontal strip 130, with a ratio of approximately 1:2. The vertical thickness of the fourth deformation unit 131 is the same as the vertical thickness of the first horizontal bar 130.

[0039] In addition, a second horizontal bar 140 is arranged between the second deformation unit 122 and the third deformation unit 123 in the rear part of the arch area. The second horizontal bar 140 is arranged parallel to the first horizontal bar 130 and connects the side strips 120 on both sides. The overall shape of the second horizontal bar 140 is similar to that of the first horizontal bar 130. It is rod-shaped, with a vertical thickness greater than its longitudinal thickness, and the ratio of vertical thickness to longitudinal thickness is between 1.5:1 and 2:1. Similarly, a fifth deformation unit 141 is arranged in the middle part of the second horizontal bar 140. The fifth deformation unit 141 extends for 5-15 mm in the middle part of the second horizontal bar 140. The longitudinal thickness of the fifth deformation unit 141 is thinner than that of the second horizontal bar 140, and the ratio of the former to the latter is approximately 1:2. This arrangement ensures the overall shape stability of the sole support plate 100 while assisting in the deformation of the sole support plate 100. This allows the sole support plate 100 to convert the downward pressure near the metatarsophalangeal joint area into the propulsive force provided by the forward tilt of the support plate 150 to the heel.

[0040] The heel area of ​​the sole support plate 100 also includes a support plate 150. The support plate 150 is a solid thin plate, and its overall shape conforms to the corresponding heel area of ​​the sole. The overall thickness of the support plate 150 is less than the vertical thickness of the aforementioned side strip 120, first horizontal strip 130, second horizontal strip 140, etc., and the thickness ratio of the support plate 150 to the side strip 120 is approximately between 1:4 and 1:3. During the connection between the side strip 120 and the support plate 150, i.e., at the rear of the arch area, the thickness transitions.

[0041] The metatarsophalangeal joint area of ​​the sole support plate 100 also has a deformation element 160 that is generally flat and integral with the sole support plate 100. It is operatively or force-transmittingly connected to the side strips 120 located on both sides of it, so as to generate lateral deformation to the outside of the sole support plate 100 after bearing the downward pressure caused by the wearer, for example, due to his own weight or pedaling action. Since it is connected to the side strips 120, it drives the side strips 120 in the metatarsophalangeal joint area to deform laterally, thereby causing the support plate 150 to tilt diagonally forward to provide propulsion for the wearer.

[0042] Figure 3 A perspective view of another embodiment of the sole support plate 100 according to the present invention is shown. In a preferred embodiment, the sole support plate 100 also has deformable elements 160 in the metatarsophalangeal joint region that are functionally or force-transmittingly connected to the side strips 120 located on both sides thereon. Figure 3 In the illustrated embodiment, the deformable element 160, designed to have a three-dimensional structure, is designed to abut against the first horizontal bar 130 (in Figure 3 (The middle part is not shown due to obstruction) The side near the head 110.

[0043] Specifically, the deformable element 160 with a three-dimensional structure is designed to have opposing front and rear (in) Figure 3 Hollow columnar structures with hollow openings along the Y direction on both sides (along the Y direction), wherein the hollow columnar structure has a width along the X direction that is substantially the same as the spacing between the side strips 120 on both sides, and a height along the Z direction that is significantly higher than the side strips 120 on both sides. The deformable element 160 includes an outer frame surrounded by two side walls, specifically formed by an upper wall and a lower wall. Its upper surface is generally rectangular to fit the metatarsophalangeal joint area of ​​the sole support plate 100. Its end near the head 110 is wider, and its end abutting the first horizontal strip 130 is narrower, thereby allowing the deformable element 160 to be embedded in the hollow portion of the metatarsophalangeal joint area of ​​the sole support plate 100.

[0044] Furthermore, such as Figure 3As shown, the deformation element 160 has multiple ribs arranged at a generally inclined angle for support. First, two ribs extend symmetrically in the horizontal direction from the middle of the inner surfaces of both side walls of the deformation element 160. Their longitudinal width is equal to the longitudinal width of the deformation element 160, and the ratio of their lateral length to the lateral length of the deformation element 160 is approximately 3:8. Similarly, multiple ribs extend from the horizontal ribs, evenly distributed in the horizontal direction, extending laterally towards the inner surface of the upper or lower wall of the deformation element 160, and inclined towards the opposite horizontal rib. The angle between the ribs extending in the horizontal direction and the horizontal direction ranges from 60° to 70°. When the deformation element 160 is arranged in the sole support plate 100 and is subjected to downward pressure, the deformation element 160 deforms more in the lateral direction due to the internal ribs, thereby causing the side strips 120 on both sides to deform, and finally causing the support plate 150 to tilt upwards to provide propulsion for the wearer.

[0045] Therefore, by means of Figure 3 The deformable element 160 shown can, after bearing downward pressure from the wearer, such as from their own weight or pedaling motion, laterally deform towards the outside of the sole support plate 100 via the side strips 120 connected to or transmitting force to it. Because it is connected to the side strips 120, it subsequently causes the side strips 120 in the metatarsophalangeal joint area to deform laterally, thereby causing the support plate 150 to tilt diagonally forward, providing propulsion for the wearer.

[0046] Therefore, the sole support plate 100 with the above structure can provide propulsion for athletes' running movements by utilizing the double lever principle, thereby improving their athletic performance. During the movement, the downward force of gravity causes the deformation element 160 to deform laterally, thereby generating an outward expanding force. This causes the side strip 120 to deform outward accordingly, forming an active lever. The non-reciprocal mechanical structure lifts the heel support plate 150, providing propulsion. At the same time, after the heel is lifted, the sole support plate 100 has a certain rigidity. Through force transmission and rolling effect, the sole support plate 100 structure forms a passive lever, creating a fulcrum near the arch of the foot. Due to the pressure at the forefoot, the heel support plate 150 is lifted accordingly, thereby generating forward propulsion.

[0047] Despite Figure 3 While the deformable element 160 is shown as a single piece or a one-piece design, those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is equally feasible in some embodiments for the deformable element 160 to be composed of several parts, for example, along... Figure 3The Y-direction deformation element 160 shown is designed as a plurality of deformation sections arranged sequentially, each of which has a plurality of generally inclined ribs that deform along the X-direction when subjected to a downward force. As a preferred design, in addition to the hollow columnar deformation element 160 with ribs, multiple supplementary deformation elements may be included, which have a similar structure to the deformation element 160 but are thinner in the longitudinal direction. These supplementary elements can be combined with the deformation element 160 and arranged in the hollow portion of the metatarsophalangeal joint region of the sole support plate 100 to provide greater lateral deformation when subjected to pressure in the vertically downward direction, thereby affecting the deformation of the side strip 120 and ultimately enabling the heel support plate 150 to have more timely lifting and propulsion capabilities.

[0048] This invention also provides a sports shoe sole with the aforementioned sole support plate 100. The sole includes an insole, an upper midsole 210, a lower midsole 220, the sole support plate 100, and an outsole. Specifically, this invention improves athletic performance by incorporating the sole support plate 100 structure, as described above, into the midsole of the sports shoe to provide propulsion during running.

[0049] In the described embodiment, the outsole of the athletic shoe comprises three parts: a midsole 200, a sole support plate 100, and an outsole. These three parts can be bonded together using a certain adhesive. Specifically, the athletic shoe includes an outsole bonded to the near-ground side of the midsole. The outsole of athletic shoes is generally relatively hard and has good wear resistance. The pattern and material of its surface in contact with the ground provide slip resistance. The main function of the outsole is to increase the grip of the running shoe on the ground, improve the durability of the running shoe, and also serve as a cushioning layer to absorb at least part of the ground impact. However, due to the relatively heavy weight of the outsole, in recent years, the outsole is generally only placed in specific wear areas or integrated into the midsole during the manufacturing process. That is, the outsole can be combined with the midsole as a single piece, or it can be divided into two areas, such as the forefoot area and the heel area, integrated into the midsole. The hardness of the outsole can be between 60-70 Shore A; the density is preferably ≤1.5g / cm3; the slip resistance performance: dry friction coefficient ≥0.7; wet friction coefficient ≥0.5.

[0050] Furthermore, the midsole 200 of the athletic shoe's sole structure is located between the outsole and the upper. Its main function is to provide cushioning, propulsion feedback, and stability during exercise, reducing the risk of injury to joints such as the knees. The impact force generated by the athlete's foot landing is absorbed and cushioned through the midsole, thus achieving a shock-absorbing effect. The main materials used in the midsole 200 can be foam materials such as polyurethane (PU), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA), or thermoplastic polyethylene (TPE).

[0051] like Figure 4 This diagram shows an exploded view of the midsole 200 of an athletic shoe, including the sole support plate 100. Similar to the sole support plate 100, the midsole 200 has a toe area, a metatarsophalangeal joint area, an arch area, and a heel area. The toe area and the metatarsophalangeal joint area can be collectively referred to as the forefoot area. To house the sole support plate 100 structure within the midsole 200, the midsole 200 is divided into an upper midsole 210 and a lower midsole 220. The upper surface shape of the upper midsole 210 corresponds to the shape of the foot, and the thickness of the forefoot area of ​​the upper midsole 210 is greater than that of the heel area, with the thickness of the arch area transitioning between the two. The lower side of the upper midsole 210 has a groove for accommodating the sole support plate 100. The shape of the groove matches the contour of the sole support plate 100 to prevent excessive deformation of the sole support plate 100 during exercise, which could cause improper displacement within the sole and affect the performance of the athletic shoe. The lower midsole 220 is designed to work in conjunction with the upper midsole 210 to form the midsole 200 of the athletic shoe. Viewed from the side of the shoe sole, the lower surface of the lower midsole 220 has a streamlined shape. Similar to the outsole support plate 100, the forefoot area has a lowest point at the metatarsophalangeal joint. The forefoot and arch areas are curved upwards at the front, forming an arched shape. The rear half of the arch area slopes down to connect with the heel area, which also has a curved upward curve at the rear. The raised sections in the forefoot and heel areas of the lower midsole 220 allow the wearer to utilize the rolling effect, resulting in a smoother transition between strides and improved athletic performance. The lower midsole 220 has a thinner forefoot area compared to the heel area, with a transition in the arch area to correspond with the upper midsole 210. This ensures that when the upper midsole 210, lower midsole 220, and sole support plate 110 are combined, the wearer's foot is essentially horizontal when standing on a flat surface, improving the wearing experience. Furthermore, the lower midsole 220 has through-holes in the forefoot area corresponding to the deformation element 160. This prevents excess air from escaping from the cavity between the upper midsole 210 and lower midsole 220 after repeated deformation of the deformation element 160 during exercise, which could lead to sole deformation and other defects affecting the athlete's wearing experience. The lower midsole 220 also features grooves in the heel area, which reduce the weight of the shoe sole while increasing its stability and friction performance.

[0052] Based on this, the present invention also provides a sports shoe, including the running shoe sole described above and an upper fixedly connected thereto. Such a sports shoe can also be called a racing or slow running shoe, etc. The present invention, combining the biomechanical characteristics of human running, designs a midsole-embedded sole support plate 100 with non-reciprocal deformation units, providing athletes with stronger propulsion while ensuring cushioning, thereby optimizing their athletic performance. In the above-mentioned running shoe sole structure that improves running efficiency, the sports shoe can use conventional uppers and other components without special limitations.

[0053] The embodiments of this utility model have been illustrated and described herein, but those skilled in the art should understand that various modifications, omissions, and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this utility model. It should not be understood as limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but encompasses all possible embodiments embodied within the scope and equivalents of the features described in the appended claims.

[0054] The dimensions and values ​​disclosed herein should not be construed as strictly limited to the precise numerical values ​​stated. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to represent the value and a functionally equivalent range around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to represent “approximately 40 mm”.

[0055] All documents referenced in the “Detailed Description” section are incorporated herein by reference in the relevant sections; no reference to any document should be construed as an admission that it is prior art concerning this utility model. In the event of any conflict between the meaning or definition of any term in this written document and the meaning or definition of any term in the referenced documents, the meaning or definition assigned to the term in this written document shall prevail.

[0056] While specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to cover all such changes and modifications within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A sole support plate for athletic shoes, which is divided longitudinally from front to back into a toe area, a metatarsophalangeal joint area, an arch area, and a heel area, characterized in that... The sole support plate includes: The head, located in the toe area and extending laterally; Support plate located in the heel area; Pairs of side strips extending laterally from one end of the head through the metatarsophalangeal joint region and the arch region to one end of the support plate, having a lowest point in the metatarsophalangeal joint region, and the side strips on both sides of the lowest point in the metatarsophalangeal joint region and the arch region curving upwards with a predetermined arc. The first horizontal strip, located at the junction of the metatarsophalangeal joint area and the arch area of ​​the sole support plate, connects the two side strips in the transverse direction; and A deformable element located in the metatarsophalangeal joint region abuts against the first transverse bar near the head side, wherein the deformable element is operatively or force-transmittingly connected to the side strips on both sides, so that the deformable element can cause the side strips to deform laterally in response to a downward force.

2. The sole support plate for athletic shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a second horizontal strip located on the side of the arch region near the heel region, for connecting the two side strips, wherein the second horizontal strip is arranged to be generally parallel to the first horizontal strip.

3. The sole support plate for athletic shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that, in, The side strip also has a first deformation unit in the side strip between the head and the first horizontal strip, which extends 5 to 15 mm along the side strip, and the ratio of the lateral width to the lateral width of the side strip is about 1:

2.

4. The sole support plate for athletic shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side strip between the first and second horizontal strips also includes a second deformation unit with a mechanically non-reciprocal structure, which is laterally inclined toward the inside of the sole support plate, extends 5 to 15 mm along the longitudinal direction of the side strip, and has an inclination angle of 60° to 70° with the horizontal direction. The ratio of the lateral width to the lateral width of the side strip is approximately 1:2, and the side strip is designed to laterally incline toward the inside of the sole support plate near the second deformation unit.

5. The sole support plate for athletic shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The side strip between the second horizontal strip and the support plate also includes a third deformation unit with a mechanically non-reciprocal structure. It is designed to tilt laterally to the outside of the sole support plate, extending 5 to 15 mm longitudinally along the side strip, with an inclination angle of 60° to 70° with the horizontal direction. The ratio of the lateral width to the lateral width of the side strip is 1:2, and the side strip is designed to tilt laterally to the outside of the sole support plate near the third deformation unit.

6. The sole support plate for athletic shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The middle area of ​​the first and second horizontal bars is also provided with a fourth deformation unit and a fifth deformation unit, respectively. The length of the fifth deformation unit is 5 to 15 mm in the middle part of the first and second horizontal bars, and the ratio of its longitudinal thickness to the longitudinal thickness of the first and second horizontal bars is about 1:

2.

7. The sole support plate for athletic shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The head also has a notch that extends longitudinally from the middle region of the front end of the head toward the rear end of the head, wherein the lateral width of the notch is 8 to 10 mm and the longitudinal depth is 15 to 20 mm.

8. The sole support plate for athletic shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The deformation element of the sole support plate is constructed as a hollow column with openings on opposite front and rear sides and is supported by multiple ribs inside. The horizontal ribs extend laterally toward the inner surface of the upper wall or the inner surface of the lower wall of the deformation element and toward the opposite horizontal ribs, wherein the angle with the horizontal direction is in the range of 60° to 70°.

9. The sole support plate for athletic shoes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The deformation element of the sole support plate includes multiple deformation parts arranged sequentially along the longitudinal direction, wherein each deformation part has multiple generally inclined ribs that can deform when subjected to a downward force.

10. A shoe sole structure comprising an upper midsole and a lower midsole that are mutually connected, a sole support plate embedded between the upper midsole and the lower midsole, and an outsole, characterized in that, The sole support plate is a sole support plate for athletic shoes according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images