Sole for shoe

Abstract

To provide an improved sole for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe.SOLUTION: In one embodiment, a sole for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe, is provided. The sole comprises a cushioning element that includes randomly arranged particles of an expanded material, and a control element.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sole for a shoe, in particular for a sports shoe. [Background technology]

[0002] The sole of a shoe has many characteristics, and its specificity is determined by the specific shoe type. Primarily, shoe soles typically have a protective function. The sole is more rigid than the shoe shaft, so it is difficult for the wearer to step on it, for example. It protects each wearer's feet against injuries caused by certain sharp objects. The shoe sole is highly abrasion resistant and generally protects the shoe from excessive wear. Furthermore, the shoe sole improves the grip of the shoe on the ground, respectively, and therefore Another function of the shoe sole is to provide a certain level of stability. Furthermore, the shoe sole can, for example, absorb the forces that occur during the contact of the shoe with the ground. Finally, the shoe sole can absorb dirt and They can also protect the feet from water and splashes and can serve several other functions.

[0003] To fulfill these many functions, shoe soles must be manufactured from a variety of materials. Materials are known from the prior art, for example ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), thermoplastic Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), rubber, polypropylene (PP), or polystyrene (PS ) shoe soles are mentioned here. Each of these various materials has its own They offer special combinations of various properties that are more or less suited to the specific requirements of a type of fuse. For example, TPU is highly abrasion-resistant and tear-resistant. Furthermore, EVA is safe. It is characterized by high quality and relatively good cushioning effect. Specifically, the use of expanded thermoplastic urethane (eTPU) is the key to the manufacture of shoe soles. Therefore, for example, WO2005 / 066250A1 states that The shoe shaft is adhesively connected to the rubber-type thermoplastic urethane-based sole. The foamed thermoplastic urethane is lightweight and elastic. and is characterized by particularly good cushioning properties.

[0004] Cushioning and absorbing the impact energy generated when the foot strikes the ground, i.e. vertical In addition to cushioning the body, the shoe also absorbs shear forces horizontally during running. This occurs even on surfaces with good grip, and therefore the foot moves with it when it comes into contact with the ground. It is further known from the prior art that the shoe stops suddenly when the ground is turned on. Shear forces, if they cannot be at least partially absorbed by the surface and / or shoe sole, The force is transmitted unabated to the locomotor system, specifically to the knee. On the other hand, the shear strength of the shoe sole is Excessive r capacity can lead to a loss of stability, especially during fast running, and increased risk of injury. The increase in shear strength means that in certain areas of the sole, the area clearly provides a more stable foot support. Furthermore, the shear strength may be increased by, for example, Elevation in the toe area of ​​the midfoot prevents shoe slippage while running This can cause a sensation to the wearer, which can reduce comfort when worn.

[0005] To solve this problem, some of the shear forces generated during running are diverted to the lower extremities, which reduces the strain on the joints. Sole structures that can absorb shock in a flexible manner have been developed from the prior art, e.g. DE 10244433 B4 and and DE 102 44 435 B4. However, the disadvantage of these structures is that Such soles are made up of several independent individual components that are quite heavy, expensive and complex to manufacture. The reason is that it has been completed.

[0006] Furthermore, US Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0150132(A1) discloses that Small enough that the beads can shift due to pressure on the insole by the user's foot Footwear (such as shoes, sandals, boots, etc.) made by stuffing beads into the insole In U.S. Patent No. 7,673,397 (B2), a plate and a recess are disclosed. Footwear having a support assembly formed therein is disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 82,684(B2) has at least one separation track between the areas of the sole unit. The flexor has a flexor that allows the regions to separate in response to the forces caused by contact between the foot and the ground. The patent document DE102011108744 discloses a sole unit for a shoe that A1 discloses a method for manufacturing a sole or a part of a sole for a shoe. No. 007 / 082838A1 discloses a foam based on thermoplastic polyurethane. US Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0047720(A1) discloses a sole for footwear. A method for manufacturing the assembly is disclosed. discloses a method for forming a composite material. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0007] [Patent Document 1] WO2005 / 066250A1 [Patent Document 2] DE10244433B4 [Patent Document 3] DE10244435B4 [Patent Document 4] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0150132(A1) [Patent Document 5] U.S. Patent No. 7,673,397(B2) [Patent Document 6] U.S. Patent No. 8,082,684(B2) [Patent Document 7] DE102011108744A1 [Patent Document 8] WO2007 / 082838A1 [Patent Document 9] U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011 / 0047720(A1) [Patent Document 10] WO2006 / 015440A1 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] Therefore, starting from the prior art, one object of the present invention is to provide a method for manufacturing a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, Another object is to provide a better sole for the shoe. The improved shear strength of the shoe sole can be selectively influenced by the The goal is to provide new possibilities. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention, this problem is solved by using randomly arranged particles of foam material. The problem is solved by a sole for shoes, in particular for sports shoes, which is provided with a cushioning element comprising The sole further comprises a control element that does not contain foam material, and the control element , shear motion in the first region of the cushioning element compared to shear motion in the second region of the cushioning element is reduced.

[0010] The use of cushioning elements comprising foam material is particularly advantageous in the construction of shoe soles. This is because the material is very light, but at the same time reduces the impact energy when the foot strikes the ground. This is because the ball can absorb the heat and return it to the runner, improving running efficiency. This improves the rate of movement and reduces the (vertical) impact load on the locomotor system. Another advantage is that the random distribution This is achieved by using particles of foam material placed in the sole. This makes the production of nanoparticles very easy, as particles are particularly easy to handle and their random This is because the placement eliminates the need for orientation during manufacturing.

[0011] The use of control elements that allow selective control of the shear capacity of the buffer elements further Absorbs horizontal shear forces that would otherwise have a direct impact on the locomotor system, especially the joints. This makes it possible to construct a sole that can also provide cushioning and / or Improves shoe comfort and runner efficiency while reducing injuries and joint damage The control element is preferably free of foam material, It has enough strength to follow the function.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the particles of foam material are expanded ethylene vinyl acetate (eEVA), Expanded Thermoplastic Urethane (eTPU), Expanded Polypropylene (ePP), Expanded Polyamide (e PA), expanded polyether block amide (ePEBA), expanded polyoxymethylene (e POM), expanded polystyrene (PS), expanded polyethylene (ePE), expanded polyoxyethylene One of the following: Expanded Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (ePOE), Expanded Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (eEPDM) According to the sole requirement profile, one or more of these materials may be used. A number of these materials can be advantageously used in the manufacture of soles due to their unique properties.

[0013] In another preferred embodiment, the control element is made of rubber, non-foamed thermoplastic urethane, textile. One or more of tile material, PEBA, and foil and foil-like materials. Contains numbers.

[0014] In another preferred embodiment, the specific shear resistance of the first region of the cushioning element is Higher than the second area. Combined with the control element, which locally influences the shear capacity of the buffer element. The use of such buffer elements with various inherent shear resistance areas combined allows for This allows for greater freedom in sole construction, resulting in a variety of fit possibilities.

[0015] In one embodiment, the control element influences the shear movement of the cushioning element in the second region. The first control area influences the shear movement of the buffer element in the first area more than the second control area. In the control area, the thickness is large and / or the number of holes is small. For example, the bending and deformation resistance of the control element can be determined based on the size and These properties of the control elements are determined in part by the shear capacity and This can affect the strength and bending capacity.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the cushioning element is provided as a component of the midsole. In a preferred embodiment, the control element is provided as part of the outsole.

[0017] Cushioning elements as part of the midsole and / or control elements as part of the outsole By constructing the sole as a single component, the number of different functional components of the shoe can be minimized. This minimizes the impact and at the same time improves the adaptability and control of the sole characteristics. This allows, for example, to simplify the structure of shoes and significantly reduce their weight. Furthermore, adhesives for joining the various elements of the sole and shoe can be used. Therefore, shoe manufacturing is ultimately a matter of improving functionality. improved and more cost effective, and preferably made from materials of a common material class. is used, improving the recyclability.

[0018] In another embodiment, the outsole is directly attached to the second region of the cushioning element of the midsole. The decoupling region is not connected to the ion beam. This further influences and / or improves the shear capacity of the sole, as For example, a control element provided as part of the outsole can be used. The control element is connected to a cushioning element provided as part of the midsole by gel or the like. The gel allows for a separate shear action between the control element and the cushioning element, Therefore, it becomes possible to absorb a higher shear force.

[0019] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the control element and the cushioning element are made from materials of a common material class. Specifically, the sole and the shoe can be made from thermoplastic urethane. It is possible to simplify the manufacture of fuses, particularly by using materials from a common material class. Materials can often be combined with each other and can be combined together significantly more easily than materials from different classes. It can be processed into

[0020] According to another aspect of the present invention, the first region is located in the medial region of the midfoot and the second region is located in the medial region of the midfoot. Located in the lateral area of ​​the heel. Shear forces generated during running are particularly pronounced when the foot makes contact with the ground. This typically occurs in the lateral heel area. For this reason, shear stress Good shear capacity of the sole to absorb forces is desirable there. However, in the medial region of the foot, Increased support and stability are often desired, allowing the foot to better engage with the ground. This allows for pushing away and further pronation of the foot, which can lead to inflammation and injury. can be prevented.

[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, the control element further comprises: a first region for controlling the bending resistance of the cushioning element; Specifically, the control area is designed as part of the outsole. Control elements can provide these functions.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, the sole includes a foam cushioning element surrounding at least a portion of the cushioning element. The frame is made of a non-abrasive material, specifically ethylene vinyl acetate. Such a frame allows, for example, to further control the shear strength and improve the stability of the sole. It can also be used to improve performance.

[0023] In a preferred embodiment, the cushioning element causes the lower sole surface to be 1 1 / 2 with respect to the upper sole surface. Longitudinal shear movements of more than mm, preferably more than 1.5 mm, particularly preferably more than 2 mm are possible. These values ​​provide sufficient stability of the shoe sole and high absorption of horizontal shear forces. There is a good balance between the forces.

[0024] Preferably, the control elements are laser cut from a blank. In the form of an outsole or portion of an outsole that is laser cut from the ink. can be done.

[0025] In its simplest form, the blank may be, for example, the control element / outsole mentioned above. It may be provided as a layer of material comprising one or more of the materials suitable for manufacturing. For example, blanks having predefined holes, ridges, etc. may be provided in various sizes and thicknesses. It may also have the general outline of a foot or sole.

[0026] Laser cutting the control elements allows for greater freedom in the design of the control elements. It may also provide the opportunity for individual customization of the control elements, soles, and shoes. For example, it allows for numerous fashion designs and personalization of each sole or shoe. Customization can be sport-specific or based on the customer's typical movements. Furthermore, laser cutting is largely automated. It can be based, for example, on online tools or other management methods. Cut.

[0027] However, the customization features and online management mentioned above are not included in the description herein. It may be used with other embodiments of the sole and shoe of the present invention as may be apparent or conceivable. The control elements may be laser cut from the blank.

[0028] Another aspect of the invention comprises a sole according to one or more of the preceding embodiments of the invention. The present invention relates to shoes, particularly sports shoes. The above aspects are advantageously combined with one another depending on the requirements profile of the sole and shoe. Furthermore, a single aspect may be set aside if it is not related to the respective purpose of the shoe. It is possible to do this.

[0029] The following detailed description provides currently preferred implementations and embodiments of the sole according to the present invention. A new example is explained with reference to the following figure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0030] [Figure 1] An embodiment of a shoe sole having a midsole and an outsole for selectively influencing the shear and bending strength of the midsole, the sole further comprising a reinforcing element partially embedded in the midsole and a heel clip. [Figure 2] 3 to 9 show shoes with various soles used in the measurements of FIGS. [Figure 3a] A comparison of vertical compression between an eTPU midsole and an EVA midsole as the foot contacts the ground. [Figure 3b] A comparison of vertical compression between an eTPU midsole and an EVA midsole as the foot contacts the ground. [Figure 4] 1 shows vertical compression measurements of eTPU and EVA midsoles during a complete step cycle. [Figure 5a] 1 shows a comparison of local material stretching on the lateral sidewall of an eTPU midsole and an EVA sole during the rolling motion of the foot from the heel region to the forefoot region during a step. [Figure 5b] 1 shows a comparison of local material stretching on the lateral sidewall of an eTPU midsole and an EVA sole during the rolling motion of the foot from the heel region to the forefoot region during a step. [Figure 6a] 7a-7c show relative displacement measurements of two measurement points at opposite ends of the measurement section shown in FIGS. 7a-7c during a complete step cycle for three different soles. [Figure 6b] 7a-7c show relative displacement measurements of two measurement points at opposite ends of the measurement section shown in FIGS. 7a-7c during a complete step cycle for three different soles. [Figure 6c] 7a-7c show relative displacement measurements of two measurement points at opposite ends of the measurement section shown in FIGS. 7a-7c during a complete step cycle for three different soles. [Figure 7a] The measurement points used for the measurements in FIGS. 6a to 6c are located at the ends of the measurement sections shown in FIGS. 7a to 7c, respectively. [Figure 7b] The measurement points used for the measurements in FIGS. 6a to 6c are located at the ends of the measurement sections shown in FIGS. 7a to 7c, respectively. [Figure 7c] The measurement points used for the measurements in FIGS. 6a to 6c are located at the ends of the measurement sections shown in FIGS. 7a to 7c, respectively. [Figure 8] 1 shows a comparison of the horizontal shear forces exerted on three different midsole sole materials when contacting the ground in the lateral heel region. [Figure 9] 1 shows measurements of shear action in the heel region of different midsole sole materials in the longitudinal direction (AP direction) during a complete step cycle. [Figure 10a]1 shows further measurements of shear action in the heel region of various midsole sole materials in the longitudinal (AP) and medial (ML) directions during a complete step cycle. [Figure 10b] 1 shows further measurements of shear action in the heel region of various midsole sole materials in the longitudinal (AP) and medial (ML) directions during a complete step cycle. [Figure 10c] 1 shows further measurements of shear action in the heel region of various midsole sole materials in the longitudinal (AP) and medial (ML) directions during a complete step cycle. [Figure 10d] 1 shows further measurements of shear action in the heel region of various midsole sole materials in the longitudinal (AP) and medial (ML) directions during a complete step cycle. [Figure 11] Average values ​​of several measurements of shear action in the heel area of ​​the sole materials of the different midsoles in the longitudinal direction (AP direction) during the entire step cycle are shown. [Figure 12] Average values ​​of several measurements of shear action in the heel area of ​​sole materials of different midsoles in the medial-lateral direction (ML direction) during a complete step cycle are shown. [Figure 13a] 13e shows the plantar shear action on the sole materials of various midsoles as the foot pushes off the ground at the end of the step in the forefoot region (see FIG. 13e). [Figure 13b] 13e shows the plantar shear action on the sole materials of various midsoles as the foot pushes off the ground at the end of the step in the forefoot region (see FIG. 13e). [Figure 13c] 13e shows the plantar shear action on the sole materials of various midsoles as the foot pushes off the ground at the end of the step in the forefoot region (see FIG. 13e). [Figure 13d]13e shows the plantar shear action on the sole materials of various midsoles as the foot pushes off the ground at the end of the step in the forefoot region (see FIG. 13e). [Figure 13e] 13e shows the plantar shear action on the sole materials of various midsoles as the foot pushes off the ground at the end of the step in the forefoot region (see FIG. 13e). [Figure 14a-b] 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a shoe having a sole according to one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 14c] 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a shoe having a sole according to one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 15a-b] 2 shows another preferred embodiment of a shoe having a sole according to an aspect of the present invention. [Figure 15c] 2 shows another preferred embodiment of a shoe having a sole according to an aspect of the present invention. [Figure 16] 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a shoe sole having a midsole and an outsole that selectively influences the shear and bending strength of the midsole. [Figure 17] A particularly preferred embodiment of a shoe sole having a midsole and an outsole that selectively influences the shear and bending strength of the midsole is shown. [Figure 18] 1A-1C are schematic diagrams of possible embodiments of an outsole that selectively influences the shear and bending capacity of a midsole. [Figure 19] 1A-1C are schematic ML cross-sections through two embodiments of a midsole comprising first and second plate elements that are capable of sliding movement relative to each other. [Figure 20] 1A-1C are schematic ML cross-sections through two embodiments of a midsole comprising first and second plate elements that are capable of sliding movement relative to each other. [Figure 21a-b] 1 shows an embodiment of a shoe according to the invention having an embodiment of a sole according to the invention with control elements laser cut from a blank. [Figure 22a]1 shows another currently preferred embodiment of a shoe according to the invention having an embodiment of a shoe sole according to the invention. [Figure 22b] 1 shows another currently preferred embodiment of a shoe according to the invention having an embodiment of a shoe sole according to the invention. [Figure 22c] 1 shows another currently preferred embodiment of a shoe according to the invention having an embodiment of a shoe sole according to the invention. [Figure 22d] 1 shows another currently preferred embodiment of a shoe according to the invention having an embodiment of a shoe sole according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0031] In the following detailed description, a presently preferred embodiment of the invention relating to sports shoes is However, it should be emphasized that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. The present invention is applicable to, for example, safety shoes, casual shoes, trekking shoes, golf shoes, etc. Can also be used for shoes, winter shoes, or other shoes, It can also be used for padding in protective clothing and sportswear and equipment. do.

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a sole 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The sole 100 is made up of randomly arranged The cushioning element 110 includes particles of foam material that are selectively affected by the shear strength of the cushioning element. and a control element 130.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the cushioning element 110 is a midsole or midsole, as shown in FIG. The cushioning elements 110 are randomly arranged and are provided as part of the midsole. In one embodiment, the entire cushioning element 110 is made of foam material. However, various foam materials, or a mixture of several different foam materials, are used here to provide cushioning. In another embodiment, the cushioning element 110 may be formed in various regions. Only one or more partial regions of the cushioning element 110 consist of foam material, and the remainder of the cushioning element 110 is not foamed. For example, the cushioning element 110 may have a center made of one or more particles of foam material. The central region may be foamed to enhance the stability of the sole shape. The enclosure is surrounded by a frame made of foamed and / or non-foamed material. The combination of these materials produces a cushioning element 110 having the desired cushioning and stability characteristics. It is possible.

[0034] The particles of the foam material may specifically comprise one or more of the following materials: Expanded ethylene vinyl acetate (eEVA), expanded thermoplastic urethane (eTPU), expanded poly Polypropylene (ePP), Expanded Polyamide (ePA), Expanded Polyether Block Amide (ePEBA), Expanded Polyoxymethylene (ePOM), Expanded Polystyrene (PS), Expanded polyethylene (ePE), expanded polyoxyethylene (ePOE), expanded ethylene propylene eEPDM. Each of these materials has specific, distinctive properties. These properties are then used to manufacture shoe soles according to the requirements profile of the sole. Specifically, eTPU has excellent cushioning properties, This is true at both low and high temperatures. Furthermore, eTPU is very elastic and, during compression, For example, almost all of the energy stored when stepping on the ground is transferred to the foot during the subsequent expansion. On the other hand, EVA is characterized by high strength, and therefore, for example, The foamed material area or the entire cushioning element 110 may be formed to enhance the stability of the cushioning element 110. Suitable for building an enclosing frame.

[0035] The use of various materials or a mixture of different materials for the manufacture of the cushioning element 110 allows for a variety of It is possible to further provide cushioning elements 110 with regions of specific shear resistance. As described herein in connection with the control element 130, this This significantly increases the design freedom when constructing the shoe sole 100. This significantly increases the possibility of selectively influencing shear behavior.

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the control element 130 is provided as an outsole, as shown in FIG. The control element 130 is preferably provided as a part of the outsole. These include rubber, unfoamed thermoplastic urethanes, textile materials, PEBA, and foams. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the adhesive layer comprises one or more of a soft foil or foil-like material. The impact element 110 and the control element 130 are made from a common material class of materials, specifically foamed thermal It is made from foamed and / or unfoamed thermoplastic urethane. , for example, as one integral piece in a single mold without the use of further adhesives. The manufacturing process is significantly simplified because the element 110 and the control element 130 can be provided. It will be transformed.

[0037] To selectively influence the shear behavior of the cushioning element 110, the control element may be configured to have various sizes. Several protrusions 132 of varying size, hardness, and expansion, and protrusions of various lengths, thicknesses, and structures. The grooves or ridges 135 and the openings and recesses 138 of various diameters. By changing the potential of the damping element 110 exerted by the control element 130, The effect of the ion beam on the shear behavior can be selectively controlled.

[0038] 16a-16b show, for example, a first embodiment of a shoe sole 1610 according to the present invention. 600. The sole 1610 includes a cushioning element 1630 provided as a midsole. 16a shows the structure of the sintered body 1600 in the unloaded state, which includes randomly arranged foam particles 1635. 16b shows the loaded state after contact with the ground 1650. 610 further comprises a control element 1620 provided as an outsole, The control element 162 includes a protrusion 1622 and several recesses / indentations 1628. The material of the midsole 1630 is preferably stronger / stiffer than the material of the midsole 1630. For example, The control element 1620 may be a foil on which protrusions 1622 may be selectively applied. For example, the control element 1620 can be a foil made of TPU. Then, protrusions 1622 also made of TPU can be applied thereon. A preferred embodiment is where the foil and protrusions are bonded together, e.g., chemically, without the use of an additional binder. In another embodiment, the control element The element includes other / additional ingredients.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 16b, the material of the control element 1620 is preferably a microcrystalline silicon. Since the material of the pad sole 1630 is stiffer / stronger, the protrusions 1622 contact the ground 16 50, and then pressed into the material of the midsole 1630. and 1670 are formed so that the material of the midsole 1630 is compressed to various degrees. do.

[0040] Specifically, the area 1 where the protrusion 1622 is pressed into the midsole 1630 under load. The midsole material of 670 is larger than the area 1660 where the control element comprises the recess / dimple 1628. The resulting differential compression of the midsole material is The stretching capacity of the midsole material in the regions 1660 and 1670 ) and / or shear resistance, e.g., by selectively influencing the elongation of the midsole material. The capacity is smaller in the more compressed region 1670 compared to the less compressed region 1660. Furthermore, this reduces the amount of the midsole 1630 in the outsole 1620. This keeps the shoe in place and therefore provides better grip on the ground.

[0041] Therefore, the elongation and / or shear capacity of the midsole 1630 can be adjusted to suit various impact loads. Various designs of the control element 1620 with the rise 1622 allow selection in the individual sub-regions. It can be selectively promoted or inhibited.

[0042] The protrusions 1622 can be of various designs. For example, the protrusions 1622 can be pointed or It can be round, conical, or pyramidal; it can be cylindrical; it can be hemispherical. The control element 1620 can be wave-like, etc. The fixed point acts as a kind of fixed point, which provides the targeted local compression of the midsole material. Here, when the spacing between the protrusions 1622 is widened, the spacing between the protrusions 1622 is narrowed. For example, the midsole material can have a greater elongational movement than when the This also allows the shear resistance of the midsole 1630 to be selectively influenced.

[0043] FIG. 17 shows a particularly preferred embodiment 1700 of a sole 1710 according to the invention. The sole 1710 comprises a cushioning element 1730 provided as a midsole, The sole 1710 further comprises: The outsole comprises a control element 1720, which comprises several projections. 1722 and several recesses / depressions 1728. The material of the control element 1720 is This is preferably stronger / stiffer than the material of the midsole 1730. On the one hand, the symmetrical wave-like design of the control elements allows for a constant output under load, as explained above. This allows for particularly good fixation of the midsole 1730 to the toe sole 1720, Therefore, the grip on the ground is particularly good. Furthermore, the control elements designed in this way 1720 can be introduced into the mold used for production during the manufacturing process without any problems. do.

[0044] FIG. 18 shows control elements 1800a, 1800b, 1800c, and 1800d according to the present invention. 0d, preferably as an outsole or as part thereof. The embodiments 1800a, 1800b, 1800c, and 1800d are provided as Several protrusions 1810 and recesses that can connect two protrusions together, for example, and / or The protrusion 1810 includes a reinforcing protrusion 1820. Here, the protrusion 1810 is , can have several different shapes, sizes, heights, etc. The same applies to recesses and and / or reinforcing protrusions 1820. For example, their width / thickness and / or depth / height and the control element 1800a , 1800b, 1800c, and 1800d, respectively. The sole can be adapted according to the requirements of the customer, where recesses and / or reinforcements The protrusion 1820 does not necessarily have to be located between the two protrusions 1810, but it is possible to Therefore, we explicitly emphasize here that it acts as a standalone possibility to design control elements. Specifically, these reinforcing protrusions are located in the medial metatarsal area (see 1455). This improves the stability of the sole there and increases the shear strength of the midsole material in that area. and can be advantageously used to reduce the elongation capacity.

[0045] In addition, the control element may, according to another aspect of the invention, include additional functional elements, e.g. A part that is an integral part of a structure that includes a bridging element and / or a reinforcing element as a component. It can be manufactured as a strip.

[0046] Additionally, the control element may be provided as a complete outsole. In this configuration, the outsole is made up of several individual, independent control elements that may be connected to one another. Prepare the ingredients.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the first region, which has a lower shear strength than the second region, is located in the medial part of the midfoot. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the second region is located in the lateral region of the heel. , the control element 130 specifically includes a stabilizing ridge 135 on the medial edge of the midfoot region, The shoe has several openings with increasing diameters towards the heel and toe. The adjusted shear behavior of the cushioning element 110 advantageously minimizes the risk of injury. Supports the natural physiological processes of the runner's locomotive system and helps the runner to Improves comfort and efficiency.

[0048] In addition to influencing the shear behavior of the cushioning element 110, the control element may also affect the bending of the cushioning element. For example, the control element 130 may be located in a region where the cushioning element 110 is located. When firmly attached to the cushioning element 30, the bending resistance of the control element 130 is The bending resistance of the control element 130 is affected by the bending resistance 110. For example, it depends on the design choices of the control element 130 mentioned above. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the bending resistance in the heel and toe area is increased by the reinforcing ridges 1 Lower than the midfoot area, which is stabilized by 35.

[0049] In another preferred embodiment, the sole 100 further comprises a separation region 160. In one embodiment, the cushioning element 110 and the control element 130 are not directly connected to each other. In this region, there is no connection between the cushioning element 110 and the control element 130. In an embodiment, the cushioning element 110 and the control element 130 are made of a material having shear resistance. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the shear-bearing material is For example, one or more of the following materials may be used: eTPU, foam material, or or gel, which allows for further shear movement of the cushioning element 110 relative to the control element 130. This makes it possible to further influence the shear behavior of the sole 100. Such separation area 160 is preferably located in the lateral heel area. This is the area where the strongest shocks occur during running, as will be shown in more detail below. This is because shear force occurs.

[0050] FIG. 19 shows a foamed article described herein containing randomly arranged particles 1910 of foam material. A midsole 190 according to the invention, which can be advantageously combined with other aspects of the invention. 19 shows a medial-lateral cross section through an embodiment of the midsole. The entire midsole 1900 is made of foam material. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this is a specific example of the midsole 19. Only one or more subregions of the foam may contain particles 1910 of foam material. The head sole further comprises a first plate element 1920 and a second plate element 1921 that are slidable relative to each other. The plate elements 1920 and 1930 are arranged in several directions. In a preferred embodiment, two plate elements 19 20 and 1930 are particularly preferably made of midsole 1900 material. 1900 is completely surrounded by the foam material 1910 of the foam 1900. The plate elements 1920 and 1930 are partially separated by the material of the midsole 1900. It is surrounded only by the target.

[0051] Preferably, the two plate elements 1920 and 1930 are spaced apart from each other as shown in FIG. The midsole 1900 is positioned in the heel area so that the midsole 1900 is positioned diametrically opposite the In this embodiment, a lubricant or gel is disposed between the two plate elements 1920 and 1930. , thereby counteracting the wear of the plate elements 1920, 1930 caused by the sliding movement. This makes sliding easier.

[0052] Due to the sliding movement of the two plate elements 1920 and 1930, such a configuration can be achieved, for example, by For example, the horizontal shear force acting on the wearer's locomotor system when the wearer steps on the ground is absorbed. This can be particularly effective when the wearer is running / walking fast. In some cases, this prevents wear on the joints and injury to the wearer. To further support the rolling of the foot when stepping, e.g., midsole 1 It can also be placed in 900 different areas.

[0053] In another embodiment (not shown), the two plate elements 1920 and 1930 are In a preferred embodiment, the curvature of the two sliding surfaces is The two sliding surfaces are selected to be clearly aligned. The degree and direction of curvature are appropriately selected. By selecting the second plate element 1930, for example, when stepping on the ground, 1920 relative to the first plate element 1920. This is again absorbed by the midsole or transmitted to the wearer, respectively. Affects the transmitted shear force.

[0054] One or more of the embodiments described herein that are slidable relative to one another and belong to the present invention. Another preferred embodiment of such plate elements, which can be advantageously combined, is It should be present in E10244433B4 and DE10244435B4.

[0055] Regarding the function just described, the material of the Midsole 1900 provides a resilient It is even more advantageous if the sliding movement of the two plate elements 1920 and 1930 is counterbalanced. Preferably, such a restoring force is generated when the two plate elements 1920 and 1930 are joined together. Depending on the material of the dosole 1900, specifically the foam material 1910 of the midsole 1900 The material of the midsole 1900 is surrounded by two plates in the direction of sliding movement. The first plate element 19 is formed in the region adjacent to the first plate element 1920 and the second plate element 1930. 20 and the second plate element 1930. , specifically the elastic properties of the foam material 1910 of the midsole 1900. The first plate element 1920 and the second plate element 1921 are connected to each other without the need for complicated mechanisms. A restoring force is created that counteracts the sliding movement of element 1930 .

[0056] FIG. 20 shows a midsole 2000 containing randomly arranged particles 2010 of foam material. 1 shows a medial-lateral cross-sectional view of a variation of the embodiment just discussed with respect to the midsole. The roller comprises a plate element 2020 and a second sled-shaped element 2030. The elements 2020, 2030 are capable of sliding movement relative to each other. The design of the sled shape of 30 predetermines the preferred direction of such sliding movement. However, in a preferred embodiment, between the first element 2020 and the second cambered element 2030 There is a gap 2040 that allows the two elements 2030 and 2040 to fit together. A small amount of sliding movement relative to the gap is also possible, and is not in the preferred direction mentioned above. By adapting the size of the 2030, the extent of this sliding movement that is not in the preferred direction can be reduced. The enclosure can be individually adapted to the needs and requirements of the user. The small air gap 2040 makes the two elements 2020 and 2030 almost exclusively preferred. This allows the sole to slide in a different direction, improving its stability. However, a large gap 2040 can promote significant sliding movement in undesirable directions. This allows, for example, the horizontal shear forces to be better absorbed by the sole when it comes into contact with the ground. It can be absorbed well.

[0057] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, cushioning element 110 further comprises element 120, e.g. In a preferred embodiment, the rib or reinforcing element is at least partially enclosed. The element 120 has a higher deformation stiffness than the foam material of the cushioning element 110. 120 serves to further influence the elastic and shear properties of the sole 100. In another embodiment, the element 120, for example, an element that acts as an optical design, can be , and / or an element for receiving an electronic component, and / or an electronic component or any other It can also be a functional element. Element 120 can receive another element, such as an electronic component. In the case where the device functions as a casing, it preferably has a hollow area accessible from the outside. In the embodiment shown, such a cavity may be located, for example, in the region of the recess 140. In a preferred embodiment, element 120 is bonded to cushioning element 110, for example by adhesive bonding. Specifically, the element is, in a preferred embodiment, a foam material of the cushioning material 110. Since the cushioning element 110 partially surrounds the element 120, the element 120 does not have a connection to the cushioning element 110. Therefore, the shoe is still manufactured without any need for such a joint to secure the shoe. In another embodiment, the element 120 may be made of a material that is not adhesive, e.g. For example, it may be connected / bonded to the control element 130 in individual regions by bonding, e.g., adhesive bonding. or may be provided as one integral piece.

[0058] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the sole 100 further comprises a heel clip 150. Preferably, the heel clip 150 comprises an outer finger portion and an inner finger portion, The fingers are independent of each other and surround the lateral and medial sides of the heel. At the same time, the foot can be comfortably placed on the sole 100 without excessively restricting the space for foot movement. In another preferred embodiment, the heel clip 150 further comprises , a recess in the area of ​​the Achilles tendon, so that the upper edge of the heel clip 150 This prevents the foot from rubbing or rubbing against the Achilles tendon in the area above the heel. In some embodiments, the heel clip 150 further comprises a control element 130 and / or an element 120. They may be bonded together, for example by a bonding agent, or may be attached together as one integral piece. It can also be installed together with

[0059] Figure 2 shows the various materials used to measure the elasticity and shear properties of the sole. Four different shoes 200, 220, 240, and 260 are shown. The key measurement results are summarized in Figures 3 to 9 below.

[0060] The shoe 200 may be, for example, a DE10244433B4 or DE10244435B 4, the upper 205 and the shoe sole 210 and sliding element These shoes have a 212.

[0061] The shoe 220 includes an upper 225 and a midsole 230 made of eTPU. The midsole 230 is surrounded by a frame made of EVA. Density 0.2g / cm 3 Compression molding 020 55C CMEVA with Asker C hardness 55 It is possible.

[0062] The shoe 240 includes an upper 245 and an EVA midsole 250 .

[0063] Furthermore, the shoe 260 has an upper 265 and an eTPU midsole 270. Prepare.

[0064] Figures 3a, 3b, and 4 show the eTPU (shoe 260) and EVA (shoe 261). 2 shows the vertical (i.e., foot-to-ground) compression of the sole of a 240mm sole.

[0065] With respect to measuring these and other discussed properties of various materials and sole designs, each measurement For each step, a number of steps (over 100) called "stages" are performed during one step cycle. ) photographs were taken. These were numbered consecutively starting from 1. Therefore, for each measurement, There is a one-to-one correspondence between the shadow number or "stage" and the time of the photograph within each step. However, if there is a certain time offset between different measurements for each stage, That is, stages with the same number from various measurements do not necessarily correspond to each measurement. Note that the time intervals may not necessarily correspond to the same point during the step measured at the same time.

[0066] Photographs 300a and 300b of Figures 3a and 3b show the heel contacting the ground. Figures 3a and 3b show the respective mid-soles compared to the unloaded state of the soles. The compression of the sole area in percent. As expected, the forefoot compresses while the heel is in contact with the ground. No compression occurs in the buttocks area (see 320a, 320b). However, in the heel area, there is a noticeable A significant compression is evident in the eTPU sole (see 310a). According to the study, eTPU yields much more strongly than EVA under vertical load. In essence, the energy stored during the compression of the eTPU sole is transferred to the runner during the step. This significantly improves running efficiency.

[0067] This can be seen in Figure 4. On the horizontal axis, the number of each stage, i.e., the time, is shown. On the vertical axis, the vertical compression of the midsole is shown. eTPU sole2 The measurement value 410 for the 70 is shown as well as the measurement value 420 for the EVA sole 250. At maximum vertical load, the EVA midsole 250 is only compressed by approximately 1.3 mm. The eTPU midsole 270 can be pushed down by approximately 4.3 mm. Generally speaking, the vertical compression ratio for eTPU is 2:1 to 3:1 compared to EVA. :1, and in some embodiments even greater than this.

[0068] Figures 5a and 5b show the eTPU midsole 2 at the moment when the heel contacts the ground. 70 (measurement 500a) and in the outer sidewall of the EVA midsole 250 (measurement 500b) This shows the localized material elongation of the midsole material compared to the unloaded state of the sole. In addition to showing the percent elongation of the material compared to the unloaded sole condition, Figures 5a and 5b show the elongation of the material compared to the unloaded condition. Photographs in Figures 5a and 5b also show the direction of the material stretching in the form of stretching vectors. The eTPU midsole 270 has significantly more stretch than the EVA midsole 250. This is because the shear strength of eTPU is higher than that of EVA. Therefore, eTPU acts as a cushioning element to absorb shear forces during running. In the examples discussed here, the elongation of the material in the case of eTPU is The elongation of the eTPU material is 2-3 times greater than that of EVA. More precisely, the elongation of the eTPU material is on average The elongation is 6-7%, with the maximum elongation being 8-9%, and the elongation of EVA material is an average of 2% The maximum elongation is 3-4%.

[0069] Furthermore, measurements showed that the eTPU midsole 270 and the EVA midsole 250 Material stretch on the lateral sidewall follows the natural shape of the metatarsal arch while running. It is clear that the shoe follows the rolling movement of the foot. This is advantageous for comfort when worn and for a good fit on the foot.

[0070] 6a-6c show measurement sections 710a, 710b, and 710c shown in FIGS. 7a-7c. The measured relative offset of two measurement points located at opposite ends of c 610a, 610b, and 610c are shown in millimeters. , and 610c each include a complete step cycle. The shoes used for the measurements are shown in their starting positions.

[0071] As shown in Figures 6a and 7a, the The shoe 200 has a shoe sole 210 and a sliding element 212 as shown in FIG. The measurement results and measurement points are shown below.

[0072] 6b and 7b show a shoe having an eTPU midsole 230 and an EVA rim. The measurement results and measurement points for size 200 are shown.

[0073] 6c and 7c show the measurement results and the measurement results for the shoe having the EVA sole 250. Show the point.

[0074] The shoe 200 has an eTPU sole with a sliding element 212 and an EVA rim 230. This allows the offset between the two measurement points to be significantly larger than that of the EVA midsole 250. This is clearly evident. The shear strength of the slab is good, and therefore the absorbing capacity of the shear force occurring during running is good. The Shoe 220 has a simple structure and can offset up to 2.5mm. values ​​are possible (see FIG. 6b), and for the shoe 200 with the sliding element 212, the offset Note that values ​​up to about 2 mm are only possible (see Figure 6a). In contrast, EVA The shoe 240 with the midsole 250 can only have a maximum offset of about 0.5 mm. This is not possible (see Figure 6c).

[0075] 8a-8c show a shoe 200 (measurement 800a) with a sliding element 212, an EVA A shoe 220 (measurement 800b) with an eTPU midsole having a rim 230; and the shear behavior of the shoe 240 (measured 800c) with the EVA midsole 250. Another measurement is the local offset of the sole material at the moment the heel contacts the ground. The graph shows the results compared to the condition without the

[0076] A shoe 200 having a sliding element 212 and an eTPU mid-foot with an EVA rim 230. The shoe 220 with the midsole is a shoe 240 with an EVA midsole 250. It is clearly evident that the shear capacity is substantially higher in the heel region than in the

[0077] FIG. 9 also shows the longitudinal direction during a complete step cycle for four different shoes. The results of measuring the shear strength of the midsole material in the AP direction are shown.

[0078] Curve 910 also shows a maximum shear of approximately 2 mm when the heel contacts the ground. The measurement results of FIG. 6a are shown for the shoe 200 with the sliding element 212. The curve 930 is , again, EVA rim 2 with a maximum shear of about 2.5 mm while the heel is in contact with the ground. The measurement results of FIG. 6b for the shoe 220 with the eTPU midsole 30 Curve 940 also shows that the maximum shear during heel strike is approximately 0. The measurements in FIG. 6c for a shoe 240 having an EVA midsole 250 are 0.5 mm. Finally, curve 920 shows the maximum shear during heel contact at approximately The same procedure is carried out for shoe 260 having eTPU midsole 270, which is 1.8 mm. The results of measurements performed by the method are shown.

[0079] Therefore, the shoe 260 having the eTPU midsole 270, and in particular the EVA The shoe 220 with the eTPU midsole having the rim 230 provides very good traction. It has been found that it has high shear strength and is therefore primarily well suited for the construction of midsoles. It can be recognized.

[0080] 10 to 13 show other measurements of the shear strength of various sole designs.

[0081] Figures 10a to 10d show the measured changes in length of the measurement sections. , which are arranged longitudinally (AP direction) in the heel region of the sole during the step cycle, The other is arranged in the medial-lateral direction (ML direction). These length changes are Provides information on the shear strength of structures.

[0082] FIG. 10a shows a shoe with no outsole, such as shoe 240, but with an EVA midsole. The change in the length 1010a of the measurement section 1015a extending in the AP direction for a shoe having The measurement values ​​are shown as follows: The maximum length change was approximately 1.2 mm in the AP direction and approximately 0.3 mm in the ML direction. vinegar.

[0083] FIG. 10b shows a shoe without an outsole, such as shoe 260, with an eTPU midsole. The length 1010b of the measurement section 1015b extending in the AP direction for a shoe having a The change in the length 1020b of the measurement section 1025b extending in the ML direction is shown. The maximum length change was approximately 3.5 mm in the AP direction and approximately 1.5 mm in the ML direction. show.

[0084] FIG. 10c shows a diagram of a shoe with a sliding element, such as the shoe 200. The change in the length 1010c of the measurement section 1015c in the P direction and the change in the length 1010c of the measurement section 1015c extending in the ML direction The change in length of 25cm is shown as 1020cm. The measurements show that the maximum change in length is about 3cm in the AP direction. 2 mm in the ML direction and approximately 0.7 mm in the ML direction.

[0085] FIG. 10d shows a control shoe with a midsole containing eTPU and an outsole. A preferred embodiment of the shoe 1400 according to FIGS. 1 and 14a-14c with an element 1450 For the preferred embodiment (see below), the length 1010 of the measurement section 1015d extending in the AP direction is The change in the length 1020d of the measurement section 1025d extending in the ML direction is shown. The maximum length change in the AP direction was approximately 3.4 mm, and the negative length change in the ML direction was approximately 0. Specifically, the negative length in the ML direction indicates that the midfoot area is The stability of the shoe is very good and the influence of the medial reinforcement 1455 of the control element 1450 It means that it reflects.

[0086] 11 and 12 show a series of measurements taken similar to those shown in FIGS. 10a to 10d. The average value is shown.

[0087] FIG. 11 shows a shoe with a sliding element, such as shoe 200 (see curve 1110). (see curve 1) and a shoe with an eTPU midsole, such as shoe 260 (see curve 1). 120) and shoes with EVA midsoles, such as shoe 240 ( 14a-14c (see curve 1140) and the shoe 1400 according to FIGS. 14a-14c (see curve 1140). ) is the average change in the length of the measurement section extending in the AP direction during a complete step cycle. show.

[0088] FIG. 12 shows a shoe with a sliding element, such as shoe 200 (see curve 1210). (see curve 1) and a shoe with an eTPU midsole, such as shoe 260 (see curve 1). 220) and shoes with EVA midsoles, such as shoe 240 ( 14a-14c (see curve 1240) and the shoe 1400 according to FIGS. 14a-14c (see curve 1240). ) is the average change in the length of the measurement section extending in the ML direction during a complete step cycle. show.

[0089] As can be gathered from FIGS. 11 and 12, the shoe 14 according to a particularly preferred embodiment 00 indicates that the maximum length change in the AP direction is greater than 3 mm, and that the maximum length change in the AP direction is greater than 3 mm for all four shoes tested. At the same time, the shoe 1400 has the best shear strength among the types. The ML direction is stable enough to allow the shear force to be mainly in the AP direction during running. When this occurs, bending / slipping of the foot in the ML direction should be avoided as much as possible. The shoe's combination of properties is particularly advantageous.

[0090] In another preferred embodiment, the cushioning element causes the lower sole surface to be AP shear movement of more than 1 mm, preferably more than 1.5 mm, particularly preferably more than 2 mm By choosing between different values ​​of the shear strength of the buffer elements, It is possible to individually adapt the rules to the needs and physiological conditions of the runner. The values ​​discussed here should be taken into account in order to get an impression of typical and desirable values ​​for the shear capacity of buffer elements. They serve only as guidelines to the manufacturer. In individual cases, these values ​​should ideally be: It must be specifically adapted to the wearer's wants and needs.

[0091] 13a to 13d, the foot pushes against the ground via the forefoot, as shown schematically in FIG. 13e. The moment of release, the difference between the load-free state of the shoe and the load-free state of the shoe is The elongation is shown in percent. Figures 13a-13d also show the direction of elongation of the material locally. FIG. 13a shows the stretch vectors for a shoe 240 having an EVA midsole. 13b shows a shoe 26 with an eTPU midsole. 13c shows a measurement 1300b for a sliding element, such as a shoe 200. Figure 13c shows measurements for a shoe with a mid-length TPU, and Figure 13d shows measurements for a shoe with a mid-length TPU. 1 and 2, with a control element 1450 provided as an undersole and an outsole. Measurements 1300 for a preferred embodiment of the shoe 1400 according to Figures 14a-14c d (see below).

[0092] As can be clearly seen from the diagram, this foot / shoe position (i.e., the foot on the forefoot area) When the shoe 240 and 260 push off the ground, as shown in FIG. 13e, The main loads and deformations are localized in the central forefoot region (see Figures 13a and 13b). (See Fig. 1) (In other foot positions, the main loads and deformations can also be observed in the heel area). However, in the case of shoes with sliding elements and shoe 1400, the elongation of the material is In FIG. 13d, specifically, the opening 1452, the protrusion 145 8, and the structure of the outsole 1450 having lugs 1459. In addition, Figure 14 shows that almost all extension vectors in the forefoot region extend parallel to the AP direction. This indicates that the material elongates almost exclusively in the AP direction, while the ML direction exhibits good stability. This is desirable for dynamic foot release without loss of stability. Insufficient directional sole stability, especially at high running speeds and e.g. On curves or uneven terrain, the foot can slip or buckle dangerously sideways.

[0093] The control element 1450, for example in the form of an outsole, may provide a specific shear behavior and / or This contributes to the formation of predefined zones where elongation behavior or specific stability is required. The design of the control element 1450 can be adapted to the requirements of each sport. These require different requirements regarding the shear behavior and stability of the sole than, for example, sideways sports. Therefore, the control element 1450 and the sole concept can be adapted for a specific sport. They can be individually designed, for example for (indoor) football, basketball, or Provides optimal support in critical shear zones and stability for sports such as running Zones can be determined and individually adapted. For example, in many applications, Preferred shear and / or extension zones are located under the big toe and in the heel area. Furthermore, the inventive aspects described herein allow for a more comfortable walking experience, similar to walking barefoot. Soles can be manufactured that ideally mimic the rolling of the foot.

[0094] 14a to 14c show a shoe 1 having a cushioning element 1410 and a control element 1450. 400 shows a preferred embodiment of the cushioning element as part of the midsole. or as a midsole, and randomly arranged foam particles, specifically The control element 1450 may be attached to the outsole as part of the outsole or as part of the outsole. a midsole 1 in the medial region of the midfoot compared to the lateral region of the heel; 14a to 14b, the upper 1420. In a preferred embodiment, shoe 1400 further comprises the same components as those shown in FIG. As already discussed above in connection with the embodiment, the heel clip 1430 and the attached Additional torsion or stiffening elements 1440 are provided.

[0095] In a preferred embodiment, the control element 1450 provided as an outsole is made of a foam material. The control element does not include rubber, thermoplastic urethane, textile material, PEBA, or are made from foil and foil-like materials, or combinations of these materials, respectively. As already mentioned above, the control element 1450 and the buffer element 1452 are particularly preferably made of It is further advantageous if the elements 1410 are manufactured from materials from a common class of materials. Additionally, the control element 1450 preferably has several openings 1452 of various sizes. , a protuberance 1455 in the medial region of the midfoot and several protuberances 1458 and projections 14 59. These elements, as previously discussed, depend on the flexibility and It acts to affect the stiffness characteristics of the sole, specifically the midsole. This affects the shear strength and bending stiffness of the cable 1410. In the example, the control element 1450 is provided as part of the outsole, so that the protrusion 1459 And the protrusions 1458 can further increase grip on the ground.

[0096] A raised area 1455 in the medial midfoot region as well as several openings 145 of varying diameter 14a-14c, which have a preferred embodiment of the present invention, particularly in the heel area, This allows for good shear resistance in the lateral heel area as well as good stability in the medial midfoot area. As mentioned several times before, this combination of properties is what makes running shoes so However, other combinations of properties are possible and are particularly advantageous for use in The design options and embodiments provided herein allow one skilled in the art to design a shoe with the desired characteristics. It becomes possible to manufacture.

[0097] 15a-15c show another preferred embodiment of a shoe 1500 according to one aspect of the present invention. The shoe 1500 may be used as a part of the midsole or as a midsole. The midsole is provided with a cushioning element 1510, and the cushioning element 1510 is made of randomly arranged foam particles. Further, the shoe 1500 includes a material such as eTPU as part of the outsole. or a control element 1540 provided as an outsole, the outsole being already As discussed repeatedly, the shear strength and bending stiffness of the buffer element 1510 can be selectively affected. The shoe further comprises an upper 1520 and a heel clip 153. It has 0.

[0098] 21a-21b show another preferred embodiment of a shoe 2100 according to the present invention. The shoe 2100 includes a sole, the sole being made of randomly arranged particles of foam material. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the cushioning element 2110 includes a cushioning element 2111. 0 is provided as the midsole 2110, but may, for example, simply be a part thereof.

[0099] The shoe 2100 further comprises an upper 2120. The upper 2120 may be made of various materials. The upper 2120 can be made from various materials by various manufacturing methods. can be warp knitted, weft knitted, woven, or braided and contain natural or synthetic materials and may include fibers or yarns, multi-layered materials, composite materials, etc. It seems that

[0100] The sole of the shoe 2100 is further provided, in this case as an outsole 2150. In other cases, it may simply be part of the outsole. The control element 2150 may be a part of the midsole. Suitable materials for the control element / outsole 2150 include rubber, non-foamed thermoplastic urethane, Includes polymers, textile materials, PEBA, and foil and foil-like materials. can be done.

[0101] The control element 2150 provides a slower shear motion relative to the shear motion in the second region of the cushioning element 2110. The shear motion within the first region of the impact element 2110 is reduced. The reduction in shear can be achieved, for example, by The control element 2150 occurs in regions 2160, 2165 that contain a continuous region of material. a "web of material" 2170 interspersed with holes 2152, 2155, 2158 in the control element 2150; It can also occur in the area of ​​2175. In the area of ​​these holes 2152, 2155, and 2158 For example, shear motion may be relatively increased.

[0102] The inventive concept of controlling the shear movement of the cushioning element as described in this document Taking into account the description of the material, continuous material areas (such as areas 2160, 2165), Material webs (such as web 2170) and holes (such as holes 2152, 2155, and 2158) By selecting various designs and configurations of the For example, the bending stiffness, torsional stiffness or overall damping of the midsole 2110 of the shoe 2100 It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the behavior of can be influenced in a number of ways, as desired. As we have already seen, such influences are subject to even more control factors. Fine tuning can be achieved by optionally including 50 ridges, protrusions, and projections.

[0103] In this case, the control element 2150 is laser cut from a blank (not shown). The control element 2150 is attached to the remainder of the sole of the shoe 2100, specifically to the midsole. This can be done before fastening to the roller 2110, and preferably at least for the most part automatically. However, in principle, the blank can be, for example, first placed on the midsole 2110. The blank may then be cut and the cut-out portion of the blank finally removed. For this purpose, a bonding agent can be applied between the midsole 2110 and the blank. The binder does not fully harden immediately, but still allows the blank to be milled for cutting. Adhesion strong enough to secure the sole 2110 (or other parts of the shoe 2100) For cutting, the blank is positioned in a manner that allows for three-dimensional placement within the cutting device. The shoe 2100 containing the adhesive can be placed, for example, on a shoe former. It is still possible to remove the cut-out piece of the blank because it has not hardened completely. After this, the binder may be left to cure completely, or it may be heated, cooled, or electrically Or it may be facilitated by other means.

[0104] In its simplest form, the blank may be, for example, the control element / outsole mentioned above. It may be provided as a layer of material comprising one or more of the materials suitable for manufacturing. For example, a laser cutting process can already provide a basic pattern that can be fine-tuned. Blanks with defined holes, ridges, protrusions, projections, etc. are prepared in various sizes and thicknesses. These basic patterns can be used to measure the movements that occur during a particular sporting activity, for example. For example, different blanks can be adapted to different sporting movements. It can also be used to manufacture shoes 2100 for sports activities. shoes, tennis shoes, basketball shoes, football shoes, etc. Such a method allows for rapid pre-production of large quantities of blanks, which This has the advantage that individual customization can be performed more efficiently and quickly when For this purpose, the blank already has the general outline of the foot or sole. That's fine.

[0105] This is particularly true when customization by laser cutting is required, e.g., for cutting equipment and manufacturing It is used in sales areas where there is limited space for equipment, concession stands at sporting events, etc. This can be particularly important when

[0106] Laser cutting the control element 2150 allows for greater freedom in the design of the control element 2150. As already mentioned, the control element 2150, the sole, and the shoe 21 00 individual customization opportunities. For example, each sole or shoe The 2100's numerous fashion designs and corresponding personalization are possible. Such customization can be sport-specific or can be tailored to the customer's typical needs. Furthermore, laser cutting is mostly can be automated, for example based on online tools or other management methods. It is possible.

[0107] Although laser cutting has been mentioned throughout the description of Figures 21a-21b, other techniques may also be used. In principle, other methods are also possible. Examples include CNC cutting, punching and water jet machining. be.

[0108] Finally, in Figs. 22a to 22d, shoes 2200a, 2200b, 2200c according to the invention are shown. 00c, and 2200d show alternative presently preferred embodiments.

[0109] The main purpose of Figures 22a-22d is to inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention and other possible embodiments. Therefore, the embodiments 2200a, 2200b, 2200c, and 2200d are 200c, and 2200d are only briefly discussed. In this regard, the shoes, soles, midsoles, and cushioning materials according to the present invention already described in this specification Description of the embodiments of the impact element and the control element, specifically embodiments 100, 1400, 15 00, 16:00, 17:00, 18:00a-18:00d, 19:00, 20:00, and 21 00. The specifics, choices, and features discussed in connection with those embodiments may be used interchangeably. To the extent possible, the present invention also applies to embodiments 2200a, 2200b, 2200c, and 2200d. Use.

[0110] Shoes 2200a, 2200b, 2200c, and 2200d are randomly distributed. Each cushioning element 2210a, 2210b, 2210c includes particles of foam material disposed thereon, and The shoes 2200a and 2200b have soles with cushioning elements 2210d. 210a and 2210b extend only across the forefoot region, while shoes 2200c and The cushioning elements 2210c and 2210d of the shoes 2200c, 2200d The cushioning elements 2210a, 2210b, 221d shown here extend across the entire sole of the 0c and 2210d are provided as parts of the respective midsoles. , other arrangements of the cushioning elements are also possible.

[0111] The soles of shoes 2200a, 2200b, 2200c, and 2200d are , and control elements 2250a, 2250b, 2250c, and and 2250d. 0d are the respective values ​​of the buffer elements 2210a, 2210b, 2210c, and 2210d. Each of the cushioning elements 2210a, 2210b, 2210c, and and 2210d. a, 2200b, 2200c, and 2200d, the control elements 2250a, 2250b , 2250c, and 2250d are provided as part of the respective outsoles. .

[0112] The control elements 2250a, 2250b, 2250c, and 2250d further Selectively increasing the bending resistance of elements 2210a, 2210b, 2210c, and 2210d You can work for the purpose of making it happen.

[0113] The shear movement of each of the cushioning elements 2210a, 2210b, 2210c, 2210d or the sole To influence the dynamic and bending stiffness, control elements 2250a, 2250b, 2250 c, and 2250d have several holes in various arrangements, shapes, sizes, sole areas, etc. or openings 2252a, 2252b, 2252c, 2252d. 2250a, 2250b, 2250c, and 2250d are further defined as "webs" or material meshes. The individual openings 2252a, 2258b, 2258c, and 2258d are Prepare between 52b, 2252c, and 2252d.

[0114] The openings 2252a, 2252b, 2252c and the material meshes 2258a, 2258 b, 2258c are diamond in embodiments 2200a, 2200b and 2200c The openings 2252d and material mesh 2258d are generally parallelogram-shaped. However, as has been discussed and illustrated several times throughout this paper, Other configurations are possible in the heel region of the shoe 2200d. a, 2250b, 2250c, and 2250d may have other protrusions, projections, etc. For example, as shown in FIG. 22a, the control element 2250a may have several protrusions 225 Equipped with 9a.

[0115] Diamond-shaped or parallelogram-shaped openings 2252a, 2252b, 2252c, 22 52d and multiple iterations of material meshes 2258a, 2258b, 2258c, and 2258d. The repeating configuration specifically refers to one or more sections along which the sole can primarily shear or flex. This can result in multiple preferred directions. and placement to fit them to a given requirement profile for a particular sole or shoe. The preferred direction of the can be adjusted.

[0116] To facilitate understanding of the present invention, another embodiment is described below. [Example]

[0117] 1 a. A cushioning element including randomly arranged particles of foam material; b. For shoes, especially sports shoes, with control elements that do not use foam material A sole for shoes, c. The control element controls the shear motion in the first region of the buffer element relative to the shear motion in the second region of the buffer element. shear motion within the region is reduced; Sole.

[0118] 2 The particles of the foam material are foamed ethylene vinyl acetate, foamed thermoplastic urethane, foamed polypropylene Pyrene, foamed polyamide, foamed polyether block amide, foamed polyoxymethylene, Expanded polystyrene, expanded polyethylene, expanded polyoxyethylene, expanded ethylene propylene The sole of example 1, comprising one or more of the following diene monomers:

[0119] 3 The control element is made of rubber, thermoplastic urethane, textile material, polyether block a The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, including one or more of a foil, a foil, or a foil-like material. The sole according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

[0120] 4. The specific shear resistance of the first region of the cushioning element is higher than that of the second region of the cushioning element. A sole according to one of the embodiments 1 to 3.

[0121] 5. The control element has a second control area that controls the shear motion of the buffer element in the second area. In addition, the thickness is controlled in the first control region to control the shear movement of the cushioning element in the first region. 5. The sole according to one of the preceding examples 1 to 4, wherein the sole has larger and / or fewer holes.

[0122] 6. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the cushioning element is provided as part of the midsole. The sole is as shown.

[0123] 7. Sole according to example 6, wherein the control element is provided as part of the outsole.

[0124] 8. The outsole is not directly attached to the secondary area of ​​the cushioning element in the midsole. The sole of example 7, comprising separation areas.

[0125] 9 Control elements and cushioning elements are made from a common class of materials, specifically thermoplastic urethanes. 10. The sole according to claim 1, wherein the sole is made of a material selected from the group consisting of acrylic, ...

[0126] 10 A front foot support, the first region being located in the medial midfoot region and the second region being located in the lateral heel region. A sole according to one of Examples 1 to 9.

[0127] 11 The control element further comprises: a first region of the buffer element having a bending resistance greater than a second region of the buffer element; The sole according to one of Examples 1 to 10, wherein the sole is increased by

[0128] 12. A non-foamed material, specifically ethylene vinyl acetate, surrounding at least a portion of the cushioning element. The method of any one of Examples 1 to 11, further comprising a frame made from vinyl acetate. Sole.

[0129] 13 The cushioning element ensures that the lower sole surface is more than 1 mm higher than the upper sole surface, preferably The above embodiment allows longitudinal shear movements of more than 1.5 mm, particularly preferably more than 2 mm. The sole according to one of Examples 1 to 12.

[0130] 14. The method of claim 1, wherein the control element is laser cut from a blank. Sole.

[0131] 15. A shoe, in particular a sports shoe, comprising a sole according to one of the preceding embodiments 1 to 14. Size. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 100 soles 110 Buffer element 120 elements, torsion elements, reinforcing elements 130 Control Elements 132 Protrusion 135 Protrusions, protrusions 138 Openings and recesses 140 recess 150 heel clip 160 Separation area 1635 Foam material particles 1735 Particles of foam material 1910 Foam material particles 2010 Foam material particles

Claims

1. A cushioning element comprising randomly arranged particles of expanded thermoplastic urethane; a control element that is free of foam material; A sole for a shoe comprising: the control element increases the bending resistance of the cushioning element in a first region relative to the bending resistance of the cushioning element in a second region; Sole.

2. A sole according to claim 1, The first region is located in the medial midfoot region and the second region is located in the lateral heel region. Sole.

3. A sole according to claim 1 or 2, the control element includes a stabilizing ridge located on a medial edge in the midfoot region; the bending resistance of the heel and toe regions of the cushioning element is lower than the bending resistance of the midfoot region of the cushioning element, which is stabilized by the ridges of the control element; Sole.

4. A shoe having a sole described in any one of claims 1 to 3.

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