Insole for a shoe

Abstract

The invention relates to an insole (2) for a shoe (1), which insole has at least one weakening which reduces the torsional rigidity of the insole about the longitudinal axis (4) thereof in the mid-foot region. According to the invention, the insole (2) is provided with recesses for reducing the torsional rigidity, and for providing ventilation and / or foot support. The invention further relates to a shoe, in particular a high-heeled shoe, which has an insole (2), and to a method for producing an insole.

Description

[0001] Description:

[0002] insole for a shoe

[0003] The invention relates to an insole for a shoe, in particular pumps, which has at least one weakening in the midfoot area that reduces the torsional stiffness of the insole about its longitudinal axis. The invention further relates to a shoe and a method for manufacturing an insole or a shoe.

[0004] Insoles have a significant influence on the wearing properties and durability of shoes. Examples of special insole designs can be found in DE 8621262 and DE 8000603. US 4,706,316 describes insoles whose mechanical properties are influenced by local variations in material thickness and properties, using the example of an insole for a climbing shoe, where the insole is reinforced in the longitudinal center in the toe area and thinned towards the sides.

[0005] Insoles known from previous use employ a corrugated sheet metal strip as a stiffening element. This strip is inserted into a recess on the underside of the insole material layer and riveted to the material layer. Alternatively, a stiffening element, possibly manufactured as an injection-molded plastic part, can be embedded in the insole as a material component, as described in DE-PS 1760160. The stiffening element provides rigidity to the footbed up to the ball of the foot, which can then flex to allow for a rolling motion during walking.

[0006] An insole of the type mentioned above, with at least one weakening in the midfoot area, formed by a transverse or longitudinal slit and reducing the torsional stiffness of the insole about its longitudinal axis, is disclosed in DE 2 130 628 A. The invention is based on the objective of creating a new insole for shoes compared to the prior art, resulting in improved wearing properties of the shoe.

[0007] The insole according to the invention, which solves this problem, is characterized in that the insole is provided with recesses to reduce torsional stiffness, for ventilation and / or for footbed support.

[0008] Advantageously, a desired flexibility, especially torsional flexibility, of the insole can be achieved by appropriately selecting the length, spacing and / or shape of the recesses.

[0009] In particular, the inventive solution significantly improves the wearing comfort because the increased flexibility of the insole allows the shoe to adapt better to changes in foot position and the associated changes in the shape of the foot within the shoe, for example, when walking. Since the insole can adapt better to the changing shape of the foot under dynamic load, especially to changes in the heel position relative to the ball of the foot, and the foot is particularly well supported, wearing comfort is considerably improved.

[0010] The insole is preferably designed in such a way that it takes over the function of a footbed when under load.

[0011] The insole can contribute to the formation of a footbed in a shoe in which it is arranged, preferably formed by an insole of the shoe shaped to correspond to the sole of the foot, and / or itself form the footbed.

[0012] Furthermore, the cutouts promote foot ventilation when wearing a shoe equipped with the insole. The cutouts can be arranged to form a perforation. This proves particularly advantageous when, as provided in one embodiment of the invention, a moisture barrier membrane is arranged on the insole, which is waterproof but permeable to the evaporation of perspiration and covers the cutouts.

[0013] If the insole is covered with a different covering material, for example leather, the covering material is advantageously provided with cutouts to allow ventilation. The covering material may be perforated. In one embodiment of the invention, the cutouts are formed, optionally exclusively, in a stiffening area of ​​the insole located between a rear insole section, which is intended to accommodate the heel, and a front insole section, which is intended to accommodate the forefoot. The rear insole section preferably extends from the rear end of the insole to over 1 / 5 to 1 / 6 of the insole's length. The front insole section advantageously extends from the front end of the insole to over 1 / 2 to 1 / 3 of the insole's length.

[0014] The stiffening area is preferably formed in the area of ​​the insole intended to accommodate the midfoot. The stiffening area is expediently made of a material, e.g., cardboard, plastic, or the like, that is stiffer than the material used for the area of ​​the insole intended to accommodate the forefoot.

[0015] Advantageously, the insole has a stiffening element extending from the heel area to the midfoot area. Preferably, the stiffening element is formed integrally with the rest of the insole material. In this field, the stiffening element is also referred to as a joint stiffener. It can be formed by a stiffening body, preferably metallic, which may be a sheet metal strip, preferably corrugated. Alternatively or additionally, the stiffening body could be made of a solid plastic, in particular carbon fiber reinforced plastic. As is known from the prior art mentioned above, this stiffening body can be inserted into a recess on the underside of the material layer forming the insole and riveted to the material layer. The insole could be made of a multi-component plastic, in which one or more components form the stiffening element.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention, the recesses are formed by holes provided in the insole, preferably holes or blind holes penetrating the insole from its top to its bottom, and / or by weakening lines.

[0017] The holes advantageously have an elongated, optionally oval, shape and / or the shape of a slot. The longitudinal axis of the elongated holes or slots is preferably arranged parallel to or perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the insole. When the holes are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis, the hole length in the longitudinal direction is preferably 4 to 10%, particularly preferably 5.5 to 7.5% of the insole length.

[0018] When the holes are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the hole length in the longitudinal direction is preferably 10 to 30%, particularly preferably 15 to 25%, of the mean width in the area of ​​the insole that is intended to accommodate the midfoot.

[0019] The recesses are preferably arranged at a distance from each other.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention, at least some of the recesses are arranged parallel to each other.

[0021] If the elongated holes are arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis of the insole, preferably several of the holes are arranged one behind the other along a line, in particular a straight line, and form a sequence of holes.

[0022] Even if the elongated holes are arranged perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the insole, several of the holes can be arranged one behind the other along a line, especially a straight one, and form a sequence of holes.

[0023] At least two or more such sequences of holes can be provided parallel to each other.

[0024] At least some, and possibly all, of the recesses can extend to the edge of the insole. At least some, and possibly all, of the recesses, in particular the aforementioned holes, are advantageously formed at a distance from the edge of the insole. In one embodiment of the invention, the holes are formed at a distance of at least 10 mm, preferably 12 mm, and particularly preferably 15 mm from the edge of the insole. This distance is provided because the upper of the shoe is typically made of fabric or leather connected to the insole in the edge region.

[0025] Advantageously, the sole of a shoe equipped with an insole has ventilation recesses that completely penetrate the insole. The sole is preferably designed such that no moisture can penetrate into the interior of the shoe through the ventilation recesses. For this purpose, the ventilation recesses could, for example, be covered with a semipermeable membrane. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the insole is weakened along several weakening lines that run transversely to the longitudinal axis in their basic direction.

[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the formation of the footbed is facilitated by the fact that sections of the insole, arranged on and / or between the weakening lines, are curved in a direction perpendicular to a plane in which the insole is formed, preferably towards the edge of the insole. It is conceivable that the sections are pre-shaped to form the curve and / or that the insole sections exhibit the curve when arranged in the shoe. Alternatively or additionally, the insole or the shoe provided with the insole is designed such that the sections are curved in the aforementioned direction, preferably under mechanical load from the foot.

[0027] This applies particularly when the insole is provided in a shoe with a heel, especially a high-heeled shoe. The heel of such a shoe is typically shaped to create a height difference of > 0.5 cm, preferably > 0.5 cm, and particularly preferably > 3 cm, from the heel to the ball of the foot. Wearing conventional high-heeled shoes is perceived as uncomfortable, especially because a large part of the load is borne by the forefoot when walking or standing, and furthermore, the stiff insole often leads to one-sided or localized pressure on the forefoot. Surprisingly, it has been found that high-heeled shoes equipped with the insole according to the invention avoid these one-sided or localized pressures.

[0028] Furthermore, thanks to the insole according to the invention, the foot is positioned more stably in the shoe. This prevents the foot from slipping inside the shoe, particularly towards the front. This also contributes significantly to improved wearing comfort, as particularly unpleasant compression of the forefoot is avoided.

[0029] Furthermore, the more flexible insole counteracts unfavorable deformations of the shoe upper, particularly gapping of the shoe. In one embodiment of the invention, continuous incisions and / or successive perforations are formed along the weakening lines. The weakening lines, especially the incisions and / or perforations, can penetrate the insole from its upper to its lower surface and / or locally reduce the thickness of the insole. If the thickness of the insole is reduced, the incisions and / or perforations can be provided on the lower surface and / or on the upper surface of the insole. The weakening lines can form recesses, for example, with a width of 2 to 5 mm.

[0030] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the weakening lines, in particular the incisions and / or perforations, are formed by embossing.

[0031] The weakening lines can be straight and / or odd, in particular wavy and / or jagged.

[0032] While all weakening lines can have the same course, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the weakening lines differ in their course.

[0033] In their basic direction, adjacent weakening lines can be inclined towards each other.

[0034] In one embodiment of the invention, the weakening lines are arranged at an inclination to one another such that the distance between adjacent weakening lines decreases or increases from the inner to the outer surface of the insole, preferably over the entire length of the respective weakening lines. Advantageously, all of the weakening lines are arranged at such an inclination to one another. This arrangement of the weakening lines advantageously results in particularly high torsional flexibility.

[0035] The incisions forming the weakening lines are preferably edge incisions, running particularly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the insole. The edge incisions can extend right up to the stiffening layer.

[0036] In a further embodiment of the invention, weakening lines on one longitudinal side of the insole are arranged offset from weakening lines on the other longitudinal side of the insole in the direction of the insole's longitudinal axis. Alternatively, weakening lines can be located exactly opposite each other. The weakening of the material layer can further comprise an area with a material recess and / or an area with a material that is less stiff than the surrounding material.

[0037] The weakening lines can extend right up to the aforementioned stiffening element. They can even run continuously across the entire width of the material layer forming the insole, with segments formed between adjacent incisions being connected to the stiffening element.

[0038] In one embodiment of the invention, the weakening lines on the inner side of the insole, which is designed to accommodate the medial instep, are shaped differently from the weakening lines on the outer side of the insole, which is designed to accommodate the lateral instep, such that the stiffness of the insole differs between the inner and outer sides. The weakening lines can be of different lengths and / or widths on the inner and outer sides. Alternatively or additionally, the number of weakening lines and / or their orientation can differ.

[0039] The invention is further explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings relating to these exemplary embodiments. The drawings show:

[0040] Fig. 1 shows an insole according to the invention in a view from below,

[0041] Fig. 2 shows the insole according to Fig. 1 in a side view which also shows a shoe outline,

[0042] Figs. 3 to 16 show further embodiments of insoles according to the invention.

[0043] Fig. 17 shows the insole according to Fig. 16 in a perspective view that partially shows a shoe, and

[0044] Figs. 18 and 19 show further embodiments of insoles according to the invention.

[0045] An insole 2 of a shoe 1, outlined in Fig. 2 by dashed lines, which has a material layer preferably consisting of a plastic-bonded fiber composite, leather fiber and / or cardboard, comprises a first insole section 3 extending over the entire heel area and further to approximately the ball of the foot. A second insole section 4, extending to the toe of the footbed, adjoins the first insole section 3 and is made of a more flexible material than the first insole section 3. At 5, the insole sections 3 and 4 are bonded together via beveled edges in such a way that they merge seamlessly.

[0046] The first insole section 3 comprises a reinforcing strip 6 that extends from the ball of the foot to approximately the middle of the heel area. In the example shown, the reinforcing strip 6 consists of a steel sheet strip with a shallow bead running lengthwise along the strip. The steel sheet strip is inserted into a correspondingly shaped recess 7 in the underside of the insole section 3 and riveted, glued, or otherwise connected to the material layer of the insole section 3 at points 8 and 9. In contrast to the example shown, the reinforcing strip 6 could be integrally integrated into the insole and, for example, manufactured as a single piece with the insole.

[0047] As can be seen in Fig. 1, the insole 2 has recesses in the area of ​​the reinforcement rail 6, which are formed by edge cuts 10 that are open to the longitudinal edges of the insole and extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the insole. In the example shown, four edge cuts 10 are provided on each longitudinal side of the reinforcement rail 6, with the cuts on one side being offset from the cuts on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the rail.

[0048] As is known, the upper material 1 1 of the shoe 1, which is pulled over the shoe last, is enclosed and held at its lower edge between the insole 2 and a sole 12 facing the ground. The reinforcing strip 6 stabilizes the position of the footbed in the area between a heel 13 and the ball of the foot, where the sole 12 is lifted from the ground.

[0049] The edge incisions 10 result in a significantly improved wearing comfort for the shoe 1, as they reduce the torsional stiffness of the insole 2 with respect to the longitudinal axis 14 of the insole 2 or the reinforcement rail 6, allowing the footbed of the shoe 1 to adapt more easily to changing foot shapes, particularly changes in the position of the heel relative to the ball of the foot. The stabilization of the footbed with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, provided by the reinforcement rail 6, is hardly affected by the incisions 10.

[0050] While in the preceding embodiment weakening lines 16 are formed by the edge incisions 10 extending in a straight line from the sole edge to the end of the weakening line, a sole 2a shown in Fig. 3 has perforations 17 arranged in a row along a total of eight weakening lines 16a. In this example, the weakening lines 16a extend to a reinforcing strip 6a.

[0051] The insole 2b shown in Fig. 4 has a total of ten weakening lines 16b formed by edge incisions 1 Ob, which, unlike the preceding embodiments, do not run in a straight line from the insole edge to the reinforcement strip 6b but are curved. As can be seen in Fig. 4, wavy and jagged lines are formed.

[0052] The insole 2c shown in Fig. 5 has a total of ten edge incisions 10c, which form both straight and odd weakening lines 16c. Among the odd weakening lines are wave-shaped weakening lines and weakening lines with a jagged profile. In their basic direction, the weakening lines are partially inclined to each other.

[0053] An embodiment of an insole 2d shown in Fig. 6 has weakening lines 16d formed by both edge incisions lOd and successive perforations 17d.

[0054] Fig. 7 shows a fire insole 2e with exclusively straight weakening lines 16e formed by edge incisions l Oe, wherein the weakening lines 16e are partially inclined to each other and form different patterns on opposite sides of a reinforcement rail 6e.

[0055] In an embodiment shown in Fig. 9 with an insole 2f, only a single weakening line 16f, formed by an edge cut 1 Of, is arranged on each longitudinal side of a reinforcing rail 6f. Fig. 9 shows an embodiment of an insole 2g in which, in addition to linear weakenings (not shown), continuously weakened areas 15 are provided laterally along a reinforcing rail 6g to weaken the insole. The areas 15 can be formed by a local reduction in the thickness of the layer material used for the insole. Alternatively, the weakened areas 15 are formed by a material that has a lower strength than the surrounding layer material.

[0056] It goes without saying that reducing the material thickness can be achieved, in particular, by removing material from the underside of the insole facing away from the footbed. Depressions in the insole can be filled by corresponding bulges in the shoe sole.

[0057] Fig. 10 shows an insole 2h with weakening lines 16h, which are arranged inclined to each other such that the distance between each adjacent weakening lines 16h increases from the inside of the insole to the outside of the insole.

[0058] In an embodiment shown in Fig. 1 1 with an insole 2i, weakening lines 16i are arranged inclined to each other such that the distance between each adjacent weakening lines 16i decreases from the inside of the insole to the outside of the insole.

[0059] Figs. 12-14 show various embodiments in which different numbers of weakening lines are provided on the inside and outside of the insole in order to achieve different stiffnesses on the different sides.

[0060] In the insole shown in Figures 12a), 13a) and 14a), twice as many weakening lines 16j, 16m, 16p are provided on the outside as on the inside. This results in the insole being more flexible on the outside than on the inside.

[0061] In the insole according to Figures 12b), 13b) and 14b), twice as many weakening lines 16k, 16n, 16q are provided on the inside as on the outside. This results in the insole being more flexible on the inside than on the outside.

[0062] A similar effect can be achieved if the weakening lines – as shown in Figs. 15a) and b) – have different lengths on the inner and outer sides. Fig. 16 shows another insole 2r according to the invention in various perspective views and positions. As can be seen particularly in Figs. 16b) and c), the edge areas of the insole 2r, which are formed between edge incisions lOr and in a section of the insole 2r intended to support the midfoot, are curved upwards. This arrangement forms a footbed in a shoe in which the insole 2r is arranged, or supports the formation of a footbed, for example, when an insole is placed on the insole 2r. The curves promote wearing comfort and support a stable position of the foot in the shoe. This prevents the foot from slipping inside the shoe.Under load, the insole takes on the function of a footbed.

[0063] The insole 2r can be pre-shaped in such a way that the arch support is permanently formed. Furthermore, it can be designed so that the arch support develops under mechanical stress from the foot, allowing the insole to adapt particularly well to the foot during walking.

[0064] Fig. 16 c) shows the insole 2r in a position in which it is typically arranged in a high-heeled shoe. To form a particularly comfortable footbed that allows for a stable positioning of the foot in the high-heeled shoe, the areas between the edge incisions 1 Or are more curved upwards than in the positions shown in Fig. 16 a) and b).

[0065] Figures 17 a) and b) show how the insole 2r according to the invention can be arranged in high-heeled shoes 1a,1b under load from a foot and forms a footbed of the respective shoe 1a,1b.

[0066] Figures 18 and 19 show embodiments in which the recesses are formed by holes 18, 18a, 19, 19a. The holes 18, 18a, 19, 19a can penetrate the respective insole completely or be blind holes. In particular, if the holes 18, 18a, 19, 19a penetrate the insole completely, improved ventilation of the foot is enabled.

[0067] The insoles shown in Fig. 18 have elongated holes 18, 18a, the longitudinal direction of which is parallel to and / or aligned with the longitudinal axis of the insole and / or the reinforcement strip 6. Groups of elongated holes 18, 18a are arranged one behind the other along a straight line. The two groups shown in this example are located on opposite sides of the reinforcement strip 6. The holes 18 in Fig. 18a and the holes 18a in Fig. 18b differ particularly in their width. The holes 18a in Fig. 18b are significantly narrower than the holes 18 and form slots.

[0068] The insoles according to Fig. 19 are provided with elongated holes 19, 19a, the respective longitudinal direction of which is arranged perpendicular to the direction of the longitudinal axis of the insole and / or the reinforcing strip 6 and / or is oriented at least substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis direction. Groups of the elongated holes 19, 19a are provided, arranged one after the other along a straight line.

[0069] The holes 19 according to Fig. 19a and the holes 19a according to Fig. 19b differ particularly in their width. The holes 19a according to Fig. 19b are significantly narrower than the holes 19 and form slots.

[0070] The two groups shown in the present examples are arranged on opposite sides of the reinforcement rail 6. The holes 18 according to Fig. 18a and the holes 18a according to Fig. 18b differ particularly in their width. The holes 18a according to Fig. 18b are significantly narrower than the holes 18 and form slots.

Claims

1. Insole (2) for a shoe (1) which has at least one weakening in the midfoot area reducing the torsional stiffness of the insole about its longitudinal axis (4), characterized in that the insole (2) is provided with recesses for reducing torsional stiffness, for ventilation and / or for footbed.

2. Insole according to claim 1, characterized in that the recesses are formed by holes provided in the insole, preferably bag holes, or by the insole from its upper side to Holes penetrating the underside, and / or formed by weakening lines.

3. Insole according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the recesses have an elongated shape and preferably at least some of the recesses are arranged parallel to each other.

4. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the insole (2) is weakened along several weakening lines (16) which run transversely to the longitudinal axis in their basic direction.

5. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that continuous incisions (10) and / or successive perforations (17) are formed along the weakening lines (16), which preferably penetrate the insole completely or partially into the insole material.

6. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the weakening lines (16) are each straight and / or odd, in particular wavy and / or jagged.

7. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the weakening lines (16) are different in their course.

8. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the weakening lines (16) are inclined to each other in their basic direction.

9. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the weakening lines (16) are formed by edge incisions (10) which extend in particular to the stiffening (6).

10. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the weakening lines (16) on one longitudinal side of the insole are arranged offset in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the insole to weakening lines on the other longitudinal side of the insole. 1 1. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the weakening lines ( 16h; 16i) are arranged inclined to each other such that the distance between each adjacent weakening lines ( 16h; 16i) decreases or increases from the inside of the insole to the outside of the insole.

12. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 1 1 , characterized in that the weakening is formed by an area (15) with a material recess and / or an area with a material that is less stiff than the surrounding material.

13. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the weakening lines on an inner side are provided differently from the weakening lines on an outer side of the insole, wherein the weakening lines are preferably of different lengths and / or widths on the inner and outer soap, their orientation differs and / or a different number of weakening lines are provided on the inner and outer surfaces.

14. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the material recess can be filled by a material projection of the shoe sole to be connected to the insole.

15. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the weakening is arranged in an area of ​​the insole in which the shoe sole (12) to be connected to the insole (2) can be lifted off the ground by a heel (13).

16. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 15, characterized by a stiffening (6) extending from the heel area to the midfoot area.

17. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the insole assumes the function of a footbed when subjected to pressure by a foot.

18. Insole according to one of claims 1 to 17, characterized in that the insole (2) has the shape of a footbed and is preferably curved towards the edge in an area where the weakening lines (16) are formed and / or is designed such that it is curved towards the edge under mechanical stress from a foot.

19. Shoe, in particular a high-heeled shoe, comprising an insole (2) according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. Method for manufacturing an insole (2) for a shoe (1) or a shoe (1) having an insole (2), wherein at least in the In the midfoot area a weakening is formed which reduces the torsional stiffness of the insole about its longitudinal axis (4), characterized in that the insole (2) runs along at least one, preferably several, lines extending transversely to the longitudinal axis in its basic direction Weakening lines (16) are weakened.

21. Method according to claim 20, characterized in that the weakening line(s) (16) is / are introduced into the insole by means of embossing.

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