Footwear fitted with a suspension structure

Abstract

A Footwear (10) comprising an upper (20) comprising a flexible body defining a cavity, a sole body (30) comprising at least one midsole (31) associated with said upper (20) to support the sole of the user's foot, and a suspension structure (40) comprising a plurality of resilient suspension elements defining corresponding distinct and separate ground support surfaces (42), said suspension elements being each elastically deformable independently of the others, should supply an improved adapting to uneven terrain and improving stability and grip during sports or normal walking activity. This is achieve by single suspension elements formed as one-piece suspension brackets (41) having a conformation suitable for wrapping at least partially around the lower lateral edge of the bottom region (22) of the upper (20) and which are arranged in succession around the entire perimeter of the upper (20), wherein each suspension bracket (41) is clapsing or enclosing the midsole (31) and the upper (20) at least partly along that perimeter of the upper (20).

Description

[0001] FOOTWEAR FITTED WITH A SUSPENSION STRUCTURE

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to footwear, in particular but not limited to footwear suitable for sporting activities such as running or jogging, comprising an upper comprising a flexible body defining a cavity, a sole body comprising at least one midsole associated with said upper to support the sole of the user's foot, and a suspension structure comprising a plurality of suspension elements defining corresponding distinct and separate ground support surfaces, said suspension elements being each elastically deformable independently of the others, a suspension element for attachement at an upper of a footwear and use of a plurality of suspension brackets.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] Generally, a shoe essentially comprises an upper and a sole. The upper consists of a flexible body, defining an internal cavity suitable to accommodate the user's foot. The sole is associated inferiorly to the upper and supports the sole of the user's foot, allowing it to develop traction on the ground and cushioning shocks against it during walking, running or other sporting activities.

[0006] In most conventional footwear, the sole comprises a rigid body, suited to act as a tread and configured to resist abrasion, and a softer midsole configured to perform the function of cushioning and provide greater comfort to the user. However, if the sole is too rigid overall, it will not adapt effectively to uneven ground, and may even cause injuries to the user's lower limbs, such as sprains; conversely, if the sole is too soft, it

[0007] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) may accentuate any pronation defects of the user, causing instability and problems with movement control.

[0008] Document US2006 / 137220 shows a sports shoe comprising an upper associated with a midsole and a suspension structure designed to support the midsole and comprising a plurality of essentially vertical elements or pillars positioned at the perimeter of the heel portion, each having a resilient midsection and a ground contact surface. Each pillar of the suspension structure is arranged and configured to elastically deform independently of the adjacent pillar to collectively provide flexible support for the shoe.

[0009] However, a suspension structure as described contributes only marginally to solving the problems highlighted above. In fact, the pillars constituting it, in addition to being limited in the heel area, are obtained essentially in one piece with the midsole and can only deform along a vertical direction, compressed within themselves, with a consequently limited possibility of adapting to the ground.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The main task of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the known art by proposing a shoe - in particular but not exclusively a sports shoe - with a suspension structure capable of improved adapting to uneven terrain and improving stability and grip during sports or normal walking activity.

[0012] In the context of the above task, one purpose of the present invention is to provide a shoe equipped with a suspension structure that allows optimized transfer of effort from the user's leg to the ground, giving the shoe reliability and precision.

[0013] Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a footwear with a suspension structure that is able to protect the upper from lacerations

[0014] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) and abrasions, so as to reduce wear and tear and, consequently, increase the life of the footwear.

[0015] A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a shoe with a suspension structure that promotes a smoother roll of the foot.

[0016] Still another purpose of the present invention is to provide a shoe with a suspension structure to improve user comfort in general.

[0017] Last but not least, the aim is to devise a shoe that achieves the above- mentioned task and purpose at a competitive cost and that is achievable with the usual and well-known machinery, plant and equipment.

[0018] The above-mentioned task and purposes, and others that will better appear in the following description, are achieved by a shoe as defined in claim 1.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of particular, but not exclusive, forms of embodiment, illustrated by way of non-limiting example only with reference to the accompanying illustrations, in which FIG. 1 shows, with a perspective view, a shoe according to the present invention;

[0021] FIG. 2 shows, with an exploded view, the footwear referred to in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 shows, with an exploded view, footwear according to the present invention partially assembled, to show a preferred embodiment of the same;

[0022] FIG. 4 shows, with a plan view from below, a shoe according to the present invention; and

[0023] FIG. 5 shows, in a side view, an element constituting a suspension structure of a shoe according to the present invention.

[0024] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] With reference to the appended FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a footwear 10 according to the present invention, comprising in particular an upper 20, a sole body 30 and a suspension structure 40.

[0026] Terms such as 'top', 'bottom', 'inside', 'outside' or the like will be used in the following description; the expert in the field will have no difficulty in understanding that these terms refer to the position of footwear 10 in its normal operating position, i.e. in use, as depicted in the attached figures.

[0027] The upper 20 comprises a flexible, hollow body shaped to receive the user's foot and provided, for this purpose, with a top opening 21 to allow the footwear 10 to be fitted.

[0028] Preferably, said upper 20 is obtained by means of 'knit' technology, i.e. it has a flexible sock-like structure which is obtained by thermoforming from a seamless knitted fabric tube made in one piece by a knitting machine. However, other types of uppers, made from the most suitable materials for the desired use, can be provided.

[0029] The upper 20 can be subdivided, by way of reference, into three regions, named according to their position with respect to the user's foot: in particular, as better observed in FIG. 2, said upper 20 defines a forefoot region 23, which corresponds to the portion of the upper 20 placed in correspondence with the upper part of the toes of the user and includes the toe P of the footwear, a midfoot region 24, which corresponds to the portion of the upper 20 placed in the intermediate upper part of the foot of the user, and a hindfoot region 25, which corresponds to the portion of the upper 20 placed in proximity to the heel T of the footwear 10.

[0030] In addition, the upper 20 includes a bottom region 22, which

[0031] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) corresponds to the portion of the shoe located at the sole of the user's foot.

[0032] The upper 20 also defines an inner medial side (not visible in the figures) and an outer medial side 26, both extending on opposite sides of the foot, from toe P to heel T through each of the regions 23 - 25.

[0033] Lacing means 50 of a known, advantageously releasable type are preferably associated with the upper 20, being preferably arranged at the top thereof, preferably in the midfoot region 24 and in the vicinity of the opening 21; said lacing means 50 are suitable for modifying the dimensions of the inner cavity defined by the upper 20 so that the latter adapts to the conformation of the user's foot, and also facilitating the entry and exit of the foot with respect thereto.

[0034] The sole body 30 comprises at least one midsole 31 suitable for association with the upper 20 to support the sole of the user's foot. Preferably, said midsole 31 is formed of a tiled element, configured to essentially copy the contour of the sole of the user's foot and made of an advantageously flexible material, preferably having a hardness between 47 and 53 ShC (according to ISO 868), capable of conferring comfort to the user and effectively cushioning shocks during walking or running. Preferably, said midsole 31 comprises a thermoplastic elastomer, most preferred a polyamide elastomeric material, such as polyehter block amide, PEBA.

[0035] As better shown in FIG. 3, said midsole 31 is internally housed in the upper 20, being introduced into the cavity defined by said upper through the top opening 21 and positioned in correspondence with the bottom region 22, wherein it is advantageously bonded; in this way, the upper surface 31A of said midsole 31 is, in use, in contact with the sole of the user's foot.

[0036] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Alternatively, said midsole 31 may be constrained externally to the upper 20, at the lower outer part thereof, so as not to come into direct contact with the user's foot during use.

[0037] The thickness of said midsole 31 can be differentiated according to the area of the sole of the foot that it is to support: in particular, preferably, in the heel T area of the shoe 10 said midsole 31 has a greater thickness, e.g. of about 21 mm, while in the forefoot area it has a lower thickness, e.g. of about 15 mm.

[0038] In a special embodiment the said sole body 30 further comprises a support element 32 as light as possible but rigid, made for example of carbon or other material combining characteristics of stiffness and lightness, suitable to be associated, for example glued, to the lower and advantageously external part of the upper 20, or of the midsole 31 if the latter is applied externally to the upper 20, with the purpose of supporting the central strip of the sole of the user's foot and effectively transferring the efforts towards the underlying suspension structure 40.

[0039] Said support element 32 preferably has a thickness of about 1 mm and is advantageously shaped to essentially copy the shape of the user's foot. Moreover, it may be provided with one or more notches 33 or incisions suitable to favour its deformation so as to follow the movement of the user's foot.

[0040] The important said suspension structure 40 is connected to the said upper 20, on the side opposite the top opening 21 of the upper 20 and comprises a plurality of resilient suspension brackets 41, each suspension bracket 41 defining corresponding distinct and separate ground support surface 42.

[0041] Said suspension brackets 41 are arranged side by side in succession around the entire perimeter of the upper 20, while the bodies of each resilient suspension bracket 41 are spaced apart from each other by means of the interposition of a corresponding plurality of free gaps 43,

[0042] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) HY1 as shown in FIG. 4, so that each resilient suspension bracket 41 is elastically deformable independently of the others.

[0043] These resilient suspension brackets 41 are therefore suitable for compressing to attenuate ground reaction forces, and the gaps 43, which alternate with the suspension brackets 41, allow the suspension structure 40 to flex, accompanying the natural bending of the foot during rolling.

[0044] All suspension brackets 41 are divided by free spaces 43 between neighbouring suspension brackets 41.

[0045] The suspension brackets 41 are one-piece elements, provided in a number greater than four, completely distributed around the upper 20 and the sole body 30 with respect to the ground. All suspension brackets 41 are individually glued or welded to the ground facing part of the upper 20 respectively the sole body 30. Each suspension bracket 41 is embracing the upper 20 and the sole body 30 at least partly. More preferred is the attachment of at least eight and up to sixteen suspension brackets 41 in the course of the circumference of the sole part of upper 20 and sole body 30.

[0046] The suspension brackets 41 enclose the upper 20 and are fixed non- detachably to the sides and underneath, so that the upper 20 is partially supported and a plane is formed for the tread by ground support surfaces 42.

[0047] Preferably, as best seen in FIG. 5, each suspension bracket 41 has a conformation suitable for at least partially enveloping the lower lateral edge of the upper 20 and / or part of the midsole 31 and / or the surrounding edge of the support element 32. The suspension bracket 41 is depicted placed on ground G, with with graphically indicated upper 20, midsole 31 and support element 32.

[0048] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) In particular, said suspension brackets 41 each have an essentially "L" or "C" or even a "bracket" shape defined by a first arm 41A, or lower arm, adapted to be associated with a corresponding portion of the perimeter edge of the bottom region 22 of the upper 20 located at the sole of the foot, and by a second arm 41 B, or upper arm, adapted to be associated with a corresponding portion of the lower lateral perimetral edge of the upper 20, and possibly also of the midsole 31 and connected with continuity to said first arm 41A. All suspension brackets 41 should be made in one piece.

[0049] The outer surface of the first arm 41A, the ground facing surface of the first arm 41A, defines the support surface 42 of the resilient suspension bracket 41, therewith all the support surfaces 42 of said plurality of resilient suspension brackets 41 form the tread of the footwear 10. The support surfaces 42 are a roughened, patterned or knurled section of the surface of the suspension bracket 41 and / or an attached extra material layer 42 forming the support surface. This extra material layer 42 can be moulded on or attached or otherwise machined to the outer surface of the first arm 41A to improve adherence to the ground and thus traction of the footwear 10.

[0050] Preferably, said first arm 41A has a thickness DI between 23 mm and 36 mm; advantageously, the resilient suspension brackets 41 arranged in the part proximal to the toe P of the shoe 10 have corresponding first arms 41A having lower thicknesses DI than those of the resilient suspension brackets 41 arranged in the part located at the heel area T. Preferably, said second arm 41B has a thickness D2 between 8 mm and 12 mm, wherein thickness D2 is always smaller than thickness DI of all suspension brackets 41, reaching flexiblitiy to encompass or wrap at least partly around the support element 32 and the bottom region 22 of the upper 20.

[0051] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) The first arm 41A of the suspension bracket 41 has a length LI of between 30 and 55 mm, while said second arm 41B has a length L2 of between 25 and 65 mm; the lengths LI and L2 of said arms 41A, 41B may however be different depending on the positioning of the suspension brackets 41 along the perimeter of the upper 20. Furthermore, the dimensions of said arms 41A, 41B may vary depending on the size of the footwear to which they are associated.

[0052] Preferably, each resilient suspension bracket 41 is made of a single, advantageously polymeric material with high durability and wear resistance characteristics and preferably having a hardness between 57 and 63 ShC (according to ISO 868). For example, the resilient suspension brackets 41 may be made of a thermoformable foam, preferably formed from ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) other polymeric materials, possibly mixed with rubber.

[0053] Preferably, said resilient suspension brackets 41 are arranged around the perimeter of the upper 20 evenly spaced apart from each other by the interposition of a corresponding plurality of free gaps 43. The free gaps 43 can have homogeneous widths to provide greater stability; it is however possible that said resilient one-piece suspension brackets 41 are arranged by means of the interposition of a corresponding plurality of free gaps 43 of variable width, being more or less closely spaced in certain areas along the perimeter of the uppser 20 to fulfil specific functions, for example correcting excessive pronation or increasing the cushioning effect, or even facilitating the natural rolling moment.

[0054] Furthermore, for the same purpose, these resilient suspension brackets 41 should be made of EVA or other polymeric materials having different densities in order to confer different mechanical characteristics according to the arrangement on the footwear.

[0055] In general at least one pair of adjacent resilient suspension brackets 41

[0056] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) is used and the suspension brackets 41 are connected via a connecting bridge 44, extending into the corresponding free space 43 between adjacent suspension brackets 41 to facilitate assembly on the upper 20; advantageously, all or some of the suspension brackets 41 may be connected via corresponding connecting bridges 44.

[0057] Also possible is a direct connection of two directly neighbouring suspension brackets 41 in the area of the heel T or of the toe P of the upper 20.

[0058] In conclusion, it is evident from the foregoing that the present invention achieves the purposes and benefits originally envisaged. Indeed, a shoe with a suspension structure configured to adapt to uneven terrain and improve stability and grip during sports or normal walking activity has been devised.

[0059] In fact, thanks to the shape and arrangement of the resilient suspension brackets 41 of the suspension structure 40, which can deform independently of each other according to a plurality of directions even inclined with respect to the ground, the stability of the footwear 10 is increased, allowing it to adapt effectively to the conformation of the ground.

[0060] A smoother roll of the foot is also promoted, while maintaining a high degree of flexibility, especially in the forefoot area.

[0061] Moreover, thanks to the extreme flexibility in the positioning of the resilient suspension brackets 41 of the suspension structure 40, the possibility to diversify their dimensions and / or use materials with different mechanical characteristics according to their arrangement on the footwear, it is possible to meet different needs, foreseeing, for example, materials with good shock-absorbing capacities for the heel area and stiffer materials, capable of providing greater support, in the midfoot area to support a pronating foot.

[0062] The particular 'L'- or 'C'-shaped conformation of the resilient suspension

[0063] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) brackets 41, which wrap at least partially around the lower lateral edge of the upper 20, also makes it possible to protect the upper 20 itself from lacerations and abrasions, in such a way as to reduce wear and tear and, consequently, increase the useful life of the footwear.

[0064] Advantageously, the rigid sole body 30 or at least the support element 32 allows the forces generated by the foot / leg system of the wearer to be discharged directly diagonally towards the resilient suspension brackets 41 on the sides, favouring stability, precision and reliability to the shoe 10 during sporting activity.

[0065] Furthermore, since the sole body 30 does not form the tread, this allows the use of a particularly soft material for the midsole 31 to provide better user comfort and ensure proper shock absorption. The required tread performance, such as abrasion resistance and grip, can be ensured by appropriately selecting the material, shape, size and arrangement of the resilient suspension brackets 41 and the ground support surfaces 42.

[0066] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) List of reference signs

[0067] T heel

[0068] P toe

[0069] G Ground

[0070] 10 footwear / shoe

[0071] 20 upper

[0072] 21 top opening

[0073] 22 bottom region

[0074] 23 forefoot region

[0075] 24 midfoot region

[0076] 25 hindfoot region

[0077] 26 outer medial side

[0078] 30 sole body

[0079] 31 midsole

[0080] 31A upper surface

[0081] 32 support element

[0082] 33 notch or incision

[0083] 40 suspension structure

[0084] 41 suspension bracket

[0085] 41A first arm

[0086] 41B second arm

[0087] DI thickness of 41A

[0088] D2 thickness 41B

[0089] LI length

[0090] L2 length

[0091] 42 ground support surfaces

[0092] 43 free gap

[0093] 44 connecting bridge

[0094] 50 lacing means

[0095] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

CLAIMS1. Footwear (10) comprising an upper (20) comprising a flexible body defining a cavity, a sole body (30) comprising at least one midsole (31) associated with said upper (20) to support the sole of the user's foot, and a suspension structure (40) comprising a plurality of suspension elements defining corresponding distinct and separate ground support surfaces (42), said suspension elements being each elastically deformable independently of the others, characterised in that the single suspension elements are formed as one-piece suspension brackets (41) having a conformation suitable for wrapping at least partially around the lower lateral edge of the bottom region (22) of the upper (20) and are arranged in succession around the entire perimeter of the upper (20), wherein each suspension bracket (41) is elapsing or enclosing the midsole (31) and the upper (20) at least partly along that perimeter of the upper (20).

2. Footwear (10) according to claim 1, wherein said suspension brackets (41) each comprise a first arm (41A) adapted to be associated with a corresponding portion of a perimeter edge of a bottom region (22) of said upper (20) attached to a support element (32) and a second arm (41B) adapted to be associated with a corresponding portion of a bottom side perimeter edge of said upper (20) and connected to the outer face of the upper (20).

3. Footwear (10) according to claim 2, wherein the outer part of said first arm (41A) of said suspension brackets (41) defines the support surface (42) such that all support surfaces (42) of theSUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)plurality of suspension brackets (41) collectively form the tread of the footwear (10).

4. Footwear (10) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the suspension brackets (41) of the suspension structure (40) arranged in the part proximal to the toe (P) of the footwear (10) have corresponding first arms (41A) having thicknesses (DI) lower than those of the suspension brackets (41) arranged in the part located at the heel area (T).

5. Footwear (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the suspension brackets (41) are made of foamed polymeric material.

6. Footwear (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support surfaces (42) are roughened, patterned or knurled sections of the surface of the suspension bracket (41) and / or an attached extra material layer (42) forming each support surface (42).

7. Footwear (10) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said suspension brackets (41) are made of polymeric material with different densities to confer different mechanical characteristics according to their arrangement on the footwear.

8. Footwear (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said suspension brackets (41) are arranged around the perimeter of said upper (20) uniformly spaced apart from each other by the interposition of a corresponding plurality of free spaces (43) of homogeneous and / or variable width.

9. Footwear (10) according to claim 8, wherein at least one pair of adjacent arranged suspension brackets (41) are connected via aSUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)connecting bridge (44) extending into the corresponding free space (43) between the neighbouring suspension brackets (41).

10. Footwear (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said upper (20) is obtained by "knit" technology, presenting a flexible sock-like structure obtained by thermoforming from a seamless knitted fabric tube.

11. Footwear (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said midsole (31) is adapted to be internally housed in said upper (20) and comprises a thermoplastic elastomer, most preferred a polyamide elastomeric material, such as polyehter block amide, PEBA.

12. Footwear (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the suspension brackets (41) are one-piece elements, provided in a number greater than four and up to sixteen, completely distributed around the upper (20) and the sole body (30) with respect to the ground, elapsing or enclosing the midsole (31) and the upper (20).

13. Footwear (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the suspension brackets (41) are glued or welded to the ground facing part of the upper (20) and the sole body (30), embracing the upper (20) and the sole body (30) at least partly.

14. Suspension element for attachement at an upper (20) of a footwear (10), wherein the suspension element is formed as one-piece suspension bracket (41) having a conformation suitable for wrapping at least partially around a lower lateral edge of a bottom region (22) of the upper (20), each comprising a first arm (41A) adapted to be associated with a corresponding portion of a perimeter edge of a bottom region (22) attached to a support element (32) and a second arm (41 B) adapted to beSUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)associated with a corresponding portion of a bottom side perimeter edge of said upper (20) and connected to the outer face of the upper (20).

15. Use of a plurality of suspension brackets (41) according to claim 14, fixed along perimeter edge of a bottom region (22) of an upper (20), encompassing or wrapped at least partly around a support element (32) and the bottom region (22) of the upper (20) of footwear (10).SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

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