Improved midsole for running shoes and related running shoes

Abstract

The present invention relates to an improved midsole (1) for running shoes in which between the front sector (6) and the rear sector (9) and where said inner median portion (10) is located there is a disjointed portion (12) which is disjointed from the tread (4) bounded by a front channel (14) and by a rear channel (15) and a central channel (16), said disjointed portion (12) being configured to be positioned below the user's plantar arch and to be movable between a home position wherein the disjointed portion (12) is elevated with respect to the tread (4) during the user's stride in the taliigrade and digitigrade phases, and an active position wherein the disjointed portion (12) is adhered onto the ground during the user's stride in the plantigrade phase. The midsole (1) is also characterized by the fact that it comprises a first blind hole (17) positioned superiorly to said front channel (14) extending from the footbed (2) towards the tread by a predetermined length, and a second blind hole (18) positioned superiorly to said rear channel (15) extending from the footbed (2) towards the tread by a predetermined length.

Description

[0001] IMPROVED MIDSOLE FOR RUNNING SHOES AND RELATED

[0002] RUNNING SHOES

[0003] DESCRIPTION

[0004] Technical Field of the invention

[0005] The present invention relates to an improved midsole for shoes, preferably running shoes. The invention also relates to a sole and a running shoe using such an improved midsole.

[0006] US 11 197 513 B2, in the name of the same Inventor, describes a midsole for running shoes intended to control overpronation wherein between the front sector and the rear sector is a concave portion disjointed from the tread bordered by a front channel, a rear channel and a central channel. At the front and rear channels are respective front and rear cavities which allow the disjointed portion to switch from a concave, raised configuration to a compressed configuration wherein the overall profile of the disjointed portion flattens by responding to the forces of external stresses on the foot during stride.

[0007] The Applicant realized, however, that the front and rear isolation cavities, being open downwards at the tread, are exposed to the risk of dirt accumulation during use, effectively compromising the effectiveness of the entire solution. Filling the cavities substantially prevents the disjointed portion from moving, effectively transforming the sole into an individual monolithic entity.

[0008] Because of the aforementioned problems, the Applicant has therefore devised an improvement that allows the disjointed portion to be kept movable without exposing the cavities to the risk of dirt accumulation.

[0009] Thus, the main aim of the present invention is to make an improved midsole for sports footwear that is capable of effectively controlling the users’ pronation while being economical and simple to manufacture.

[0010] The aforementioned objects and benefits are achieved by an improved midsole for running shoes in accordance with claim 1.

[0011] A further object of the present invention is achieved by a sole for running shoes in accordance with claim 9. An additional object of the present invention is achieved by a running shoe in accordance with claim 10.

[0012] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more evident from the description of some preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of the midsole according to the invention, illustrated, by way of an indicative yet non-limiting example, in the attached tables of drawings in which:

[0013] - Figure 1 is a perspective view from below of the midsole according to the invention;

[0014] - Figure 2 is a perspective view from above of the midsole in Figure 1;

[0015] - Figure 3 is a view from below of the midsole in Figure 1;

[0016] - Figures 4a, 4b are cross-sectional views of the disjointed portion of the midsole in the home position and in the active position, respectively;

[0017] - Figures 5a, 5b, 5c are cross-sectional views of the front, median and rear sectors of the midsole, respectively.

[0018] With reference to the above figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes an improved midsole for running shoes which is entirely extended along a longitudinal direction X-X.

[0019] The shoe comprises an upper (not shown), a footbed 2 and a sole 3.

[0020] In the sole 3, a tread 4, a sidewall 5 and a midsole 1 are identified, the latter being positioned between the footbed 2 and the tread 4.

[0021] In accordance with some embodiments, the tread 4 can be made in a single body piece with the sidewall 5, e.g. when both are made of the same materials. It cannot, however, be ruled out that the tread 4 and the sidewall 5 can be made as separate pieces.

[0022] Preferably, the footbed 2 is made at least partly of breathable and / or perforated material.

[0023] As can be seen in the example in Figure 3, the midsole can be divided into four sectors bounded by a first line A- A, a second line B-B and a third line C-C.

[0024] Specifically, within the midsole 1, it is possible to identify a front sector 6, which substantially represents the forefoot support area within the midsole 1, two median sectors 7, 8, which substantially constitute the midfoot support area within the midsole 1, and a rear sector 9, which substantially corresponds to the hindfoot support area within the midsole 1.

[0025] Similarly, the midsole 1 can itself be subdivided into two portions along the imaginary transverse line D-D allowing a distinction to be made between an inner median portion 10, which substantially represents the support area of the inner, or medial part of the midfoot within the midsole 1, and an outer median portion 11, which substantially constitutes the support area of the outer, or lateral part of the midfoot within the midsole 1.

[0026] Preferably, the inner median portion 10 has a smaller area than the outer median portion 11. More specifically, the area of the inner median portion 10 has an area corresponding to about 1 / 3 of the area of the midsole 1 while the outer median portion 11 has an area corresponding to about 2 / 3 of the area of the midsole 1.

[0027] Advantageously, between the front sector 6 and the rear sector 9 and where the inner median portion 10 is located, there is a disjointed portion 12 which is disjointed from the tread 4 bounded by a front channel 14, a rear channel 15 and a central channel 16.

[0028] The disjointed portion 12 is configured to be positioned below the user’s plantar arch and to be movable between a home position, wherein the disjointed portion 12 is elevated with respect to the tread during the user’s stride in the taligrade and digitigrade phases, and an active position wherein the disjointed portion 12 is adhered onto the ground during the user’s stride in the plantigrade phase.

[0029] With reference to the example shown in Figures 3 and 4, the midsole 1 comprises a first blind hole 17 positioned superiorly to the front channel 14 extending from the footbed 2 towards the tread 4 by a predetermined length. The midsole 1 also comprises a second blind hole 18 positioned superiorly to the rear channel 15 extending from the footbed 2 towards the tread also by a predetermined length. Conveniently, the front channel 14, the rear channel 15 and the central channel 16 at least partly separate the disjointed portion 12 from the rest of the midsole 1. Although the entire midsole 1 may be a one-piece unit, the contribution of the presence of the blind holes 17, 18 on the front channel 14 and on the rear channel 15 allow the disjointed portion 12 to deform differently from the rest of the midsole 1 without the holes themselves 17, 18 being exposed to the risk of dirt accumulation by being isolated from the ground. During a stride, the foot pushes the plantar arch area of the midsole 1, causing compression of the holes 17, 18 and of the disjointed portion 12 thus supporting the plantar arch and controlling pronation.

[0030] In fact, it should be emphasized that both blind holes 17, 18 are open towards the footbed 2 of the footwear allowing them to compress. There is a substantial compression of the air present in the holes 17, 18 which, pushed by the weight of the foot, contributes to the compression of the disjointed portion 12 that deforms and flattens to the ground during stride.

[0031] In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the first blind hole 17 is positioned between the front sector 6 and the first median sector 7 of the midsole 1 while the second blind hole 18 is positioned between the rear sector 9 and the second median sector 8. Even more preferably, the holes 17, 18 are aligned along X-X and positioned between the inner median portion 10 and the outer median portion 11 of the midsole 1.

[0032] Conveniently, the holes 17, 18 have a preferably cylindrical shape. It cannot, however, be ruled out that the shape and direction of development of these holes may have different geometries and orientations, such as e.g. conical, elliptical or irregular shapes, depending on the specific design requirements and required characteristics of the midsole 1 to correct pronation during a user’s stride.

[0033] In one variation, the holes 17, 18 may have a constant cross section along the entire thickness of the midsole 1. Otherwise, they may be structured with a first portion, with a reduced cross section and substantially circular in shape, followed by a second portion, with a constant cross section and also substantially circular in shape, with a larger diameter than that of the first portion, the latter being located proximal to the lower surface of the midsole 1. Otherwise the holes 17, 18 could be characterized by a substantially truncated cone shape tapering upwards or downwards. Such configurations offer significant advantages, especially in footwear with particularly thin soles by minimizing the risk of perceived collapsed sensation by the user, thus increasing the overall comfort.

[0034] As shown in the example in Figures 4a and 4b, when the disjointed portion 12 is in the home position (Figure 4a) its bottom surface 13 has an overall concave pattern along both the direction X-X and the direction Y-Y of the midsole 1 while when the disjointed portion 12 is in the active position (Figure 4b) the bottom surface 13 has an overall flat or slightly convex pattern substantially coplanar to the tread 4. It cannot, however, be ruled out that the bottom surface 13 of the disjointed portion 12, in the home position, may have an overall convex pattern along the direction X-X, or convex along the direction Y-Y, or even a meniscus configuration.

[0035] In accordance with one embodiment, the improved midsole 1 comprises a third blind hole 19 positioned superiorly to the central channel 16 where the rear sector 9 is located. This hole 19 preferably extends from the footbed 2 towards the tread by a predetermined length. Conveniently, the hole 19 is also open towards the footbed 2. This hole 19 is configured to allow the anterior and posterior joints of the foot to adapt to the ground and helps distribute weight from the outside of the heel, thereby improving stability. Again, the air compression in the third hole 19 contributes to the compression of the rear sector 9 of the midsole 1, which deforms and flattens to the ground during stride. Indeed, as can be seen from the example shown in Figure 5 c, the bottom surface 20 of the rear sector 9 of the midsole 1 has a preferably concave pattern along the direction Y-Y. Indeed, as is well known, the foot rests mainly on the heel at the calcaneus: it follows that the presence of a rear sector 9 that is also movable and compressible effectively improves the comfort of the shoe during use.

[0036] In embodiments not shown, however, it is possible that the holes 17, 18 and 19 may be isolated from the footbed 2 and thus closed.

[0037] Preferably, the midsole 1 is made of polymeric material such as PEBA, EVA, or TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane). It is also possible to make the midsole 1 with different hardnesses and / or densities in different zones, depending on the needs and technical requirements. In particular, a higher hardness and / or density can be provided at the different zones where holes 17, 18, 19 are cut.

[0038] It has in practice been ascertained that the described invention achieves the intended objects, and in particular, the fact is emphasized that the improved midsole enables effective shock absorption and extremely stable and effective control of foot overpronation.

[0039] The materials used as well as the dimensions and shapes of the midsole 1 may have the same characteristics as the midsole described in the patent US 11 197 513 B2 in the name of the same Inventor whose contents are incorporated herein by reference.

[0040] The type of structural combinations of the improved midsole as well as of the footwear incorporating it are potentially infinite, and obviously a technician in the field, in order to meet contingent and specific needs, could make numerous modifications and variations to the examples of embodiments described above, all of which, moreover, are contained within the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1) Improved midsole (1) for running shoes which is entirely extended along a longitudinal direction (X-X) and positioned between the footbed (2) and the tread (4) of a shoe, comprising: a front sector (6) for the support of the user’s forefoot, a first and a second median sector (7, 8) for the support of the user’s midfoot, a rear sector (9) for the support of the user’s hindfoot, an inner median portion (10) for the support of the medial part of the user’s midfoot, and an outer median portion (11) for the support of the lateral part of the user’s midfoot, wherein between said front sector (6) and said rear sector (9) and where said inner median portion (10) is located there is a disjointed portion (12) which is disjointed from the tread (4) bounded by a front channel (14) and by a rear channel (15) and a central channel (16), said disjointed portion (12) being configured to be positioned below the user’s plantar arch and to be movable between a home position wherein the disjointed portion (12) is elevated with respect to the tread (4) during the user’s stride in the taligrade and digitigrade phases, and an active position wherein the disjointed portion (12) is adhered onto the ground during the user’s stride in the plantigrade phase, said midsole (1) being characterized by the fact that it comprises: a first blind hole (17) positioned superiorly to said front channel (14) extending from the footbed (2) towards the tread by a predetermined length, and a second blind hole (18) positioned superiorly to said rear channel (15) extending from the footbed (2) towards the tread by a predetermined length.2) Improved midsole (1) according to claim 1, wherein said blind holes (17, 18) have a preferably constant cross section.3) Improved midsole (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said blind holes (17, 18) are open towards the footbed (2) of said shoe.4) Improved midsole (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said holes (17, 18) is tapered upwards or downwards.5) Improved midsole (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said first blind hole (17) is positioned between the front sector (6) and the first median sector (7) and said second blind hole (18) is positioned between the rear sector (9) and the second median sector (8). 6) Improved midsole (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said disjointed portion (12) in said home position has an overall concave pattern along the longitudinal direction (X-X) of the midsole (1).7) Improved midsole (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said disjointed portion (12) in said home position has an overall concave pattern along the transversal direction (Y-Y) of the midsole (1).8) Improved midsole (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, comprising a third blind hole (19) positioned superiorly to said central channel (16) where said rear sector (9) is located and extending from the footbed (2) towards the tread by a predetermined length. 9) Sole (3) for running shoes comprising a tread (4) and a midsole (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims.10) Running shoes comprising an upper, a footbed (2) and a sole (3) according to the preceding claim.

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