Abstract: A method for manufacturing a multi-density shoe sole is described, the method incorporates repeated injections of sole material onto a shoe upper mounted on a last and placed in a mould. The mould has an injection chamber, moveable side frames, a vertically moveable bottom piston and a shoe sole shaping insert which is placed in the mould prior to a first injection and removed from the mould after said first injection and prior to a second injection. The entire body of the shoe sole shaping insert is placed inside the injection chamber during the first injection. The shoe sole shaping insert acts as a dummy during the first injection, and leaves after its removal a cavity which in a later injection step is filled with another sole material, either another colour or another density. Also disclosed is an insert used in a mould for injection moulding of shoe soles.

Abstract: A shoe sole (7) consisting of a midsole (1) and an outsole (3) consisting of discrete outsole elements. The midsole (1) has on the side facing the outsole a multiple of flex grooves (27, 29, 34, 51, 53, 55, 57, 63) crossing each other and creating pads (26, 28, 30, 33, 35, 50, 52, 54, 56) in the midsole. A curved forefoot flex groove (63) emanates from the medial side (21) of the arch (48) and essentially follows a path over one or more of the cuneiform bones (72, 73, 74) and continues between the third (83) and fourth (82) metatarsal phalanges, over the third (77) proximal phalange and continues between the first (85) and second (84) metatarsal phalanges in a direction towards the heel. Both the outsole elements and the pads are arranged to follow an essentially spiral curve (64) around the curved forefoot flex groove. The sole reduces the risk of injury during running, and gives the foot increased compensation possibilities for correcting imbalances especially after heel strike.

Abstract: A sole for a shoe, in particular for a running shoe which sole comprises a polyurethane injected midsole, a longitudinally extending shank and an outsole. The shank extends from the forefoot of the sole through an arch area to a heel area and has an opening in its heel area for receiving polyurethane during injection of the polyurethane for the midsole. Further, the shank has a cavity (17) for receiving a comfort element (9). The heel area of the shank is offset to be closer to the outsole (3) than the shank in the arch area. The invention solves the problem of designing a sole having a low weight but still providing comfort to the wearer of the shoe. By placing a comfort element in the cavity (17) in the heel area of the shank, which comfort element has a higher elasticity than the polyurethane of the midsole, an overall solution with improved energy absorption and energy return is provided.

Abstract: A midsole for a shoe, in particular a running shoe, is described which midsole is asymmetric in a midfoot area, has an upper heel portion embracing the calcaneus of a wearer and has an upwardly extending toe end. In the midfoot area a vertical medial support structure originates from the midsole and supportively embraces the arch. Correspondingly, a vertical lateral support structure supports the lateral side of the foot in the midfoot area. The medial support structure covers a larger area than the lateral support structure, and is connected to the vertically extending upper heel portion of the midsole. The toe end of the midsole is extended upwardly, and provides in combination with the vertically extending upper heel portion and said vertically extending medial and lateral arch support structures a midsole which firmly embraces the foot. The result is a shoe, in particular a running shoe, which reduces the risk of injury during running.

Abstract: A midsole for a running shoe is described, which shoe comprises a rear foot area (150) with a bottom heel portion (20) and an upper heel portion (142). The upper heel portion (142) is moulded in one piece with the bottom heel portion and extended vertically to cover the tuberosity (68) of the calcaneus (69). According to the invention, the upper heel portion (142) is asymmetric about a vertical axis (B-B) dividing the midsole (1) into two halves wherein the area of midsole material supporting the heel on the medial side (143) of the upper heel portion (142) is larger than the supporting area of the midsole material on the lateral side (151) of the upper heel portion. This design stabilizes the foot during motion, and contributes to lowering the risk of injury during running.

Abstract: A shoe sole (7) consisting of a midsole (1) and an outsole (3) consisting of discrete outsole elements. The midsole (1) has on the side facing the outsole a multiple of flex grooves (27, 29, 34, 51, 53, 55, 57, 63) crossing each other and creating pads (26, 28, 30, 33, 35, 50, 52, 54, 56) in the midsole. A curved forefoot flex groove (63) emanates from the medial side (21) of the arch (48) and essentially follows a path over one or more of the cuneiform bones (72, 73, 74) and continues between the third (83) and fourth (82) metatarsal phalanges, over the third (77) proximal phalange and continues between the first (85) and second (84) metatarsal phalanges in a direction towards the heel. Both the outsole elements and the pads are arranged to follow an essentially spiral curve (64) around the curved forefoot flex groove. The sole reduces the risk of injury during running, and gives the foot increased compensation possibilities for correcting imbalances especially after heel strike.

Abstract: A shoe midsole (1) for shoes with exceptional walking comfort, eg hiking shoes. The shoe midsole is provided with a shock absorber (6) in its heel zone (4) and a bead (8) behind and adjacent the heel zone, said bead completely or partially following a U-shape and forming a side support for the heel of the wearer. The sole is flexible about at least two slightly curved bending lines (12,14), which are inclined relative to the longitudinal axis (10) of the sole, said lines being defined by channels or grooves (12,14) in the sole material. The bending lines do not intersect each other and their cavities face away from each other. The sole (1) has a particularly elastic portion (16) of a hand-like shape with at least two finger-shaped zones (18a,18b,18c) pointing towards the toe end (30) of the midsole. As a result the shoe midsole offers a considerable degree of flexibility during the wearer's walking motion.