OUTER SOLE FOR SHOES AND SHOES COMPRISING SUCH OUTER SOLES

An outsole for a shoe, at least a portion of the outsole has a grid structure of intersecting lines along the course of which the outsole has increased flexibility The grid structure is irregularly formed by lines which are determined on the one hand at least by the course of the connecting curve through the toe joints between the distal phalanx and the proximal phalanx of the big toe and between the respective middle phalanx and proximal phalanx of the second, third, fourth and toes, and on the other hand by the course of the respective intermediate spaces between the five toes when the sole is positioned to fit under the wearer's foot. In the same way, a shoe having an outsole of the kind described above is also proposed.

Skip to: Description  ·  Claims  · Patent History  ·  Patent History
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a U.S. national stage of application No. PCT/EP2010/064674, filed on 1 Oct. 2010. Priority is claimed on Europe Application No.: 09172159.7 filed 4 Oct. 2009, the content of which is incorporated here by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a shoe sole, more precisely, an outsole for a shoe which aids the user in achieving a substantially natural gait through the use of the sole according to the invention. The shoe sole, and equally the shoe having this sole, are constructed in such a way that the foot is positively influenced in all phases of walking.

2. Detailed Description of the Prior Art

In terms of biomechanics, a natural gait is virtually impossible for persons wearing shoes. The natural gait and the use of shoes are biomechanically incompatible because all shoes automatically transform a natural gait into an unnatural gait.

Clinical investigations have shown that the use of orthopedic inserts or supporting and/or cushioning alternatives lead to atrophy of the muscular and skeletal systems. It has likewise been proven that the proportion of atrophy of the muscular and skeletal systems or the like foot-related incidences and symptoms in countries where a majority of the inhabitants go barefoot or do not wear shoes makes up only a fraction of the proportion determined in countries where the population normally uses shoes. The difference in proportion in the respective countries can be traced back to the footwear and to the obvious defects in shoe design from a medical stand point. The fact that conventional shoes are not capable of cooperation with the mechanics of the feet is the most important factor for problems with feet and gait. Impairment of the natural movement cycle and biomechanics causes increased stresses which lead to defective biomechanical cycles, discomfort and injuries.

An outsole for shoes having a checkered profile with intersecting straight notches is known in the art, for example, through GB 2 431 857 A and US 2007/0199211A. The outsole has increased flexibility along these notches. The drawback to an outsole of this kind is the fact that the flexibility is provided in unsuitable places for human walking or running and along unsuitable flex lines.

German Utility Model DE 87 04 284 U discloses a simpler method compared to the above-cited prior art for implementing a certain flexibility in the outsole of a shoe in which the sole has apertures filled with polyurethane resin chiefly in the region of the ball of the foot and in the toe region in the form of longitudinal slits.

Pursuant to a preferred embodiment form in EP 1 418 826, an outsole is known which has an area of increased flexibility, which area is defined by a medial posterior boundary of not less than 70% of the length of the foot, a medial anterior boundary of not more than 80% of the length of the foot, and a lateral anterior boundary of not more than 70% of the length of the foot. No further verbal explanations are given as to how the flexibility of the known outsole is to be achieved, but the drawings show a possible realization by means of notches extending transversely in straight lines in the outsole. The drawback to a solution of this kind consists in the fact that a flexibility achieved in this way cannot be reconciled with the requirements of the human skeleton.

The subject matter of US 2007/0011914 A is an athletic shoe having a laced overshoe on a sole formed beneath the through-going lacing of the overshoe and which has a checkered profile with intersecting, slightly curved notches. Since these notches have no relation to the foot skeleton of the shoe wearer, the disclosure of this document does not go beyond the disclosures of GB 2 431 857 A and US 2007/0199211 A which were evaluated above.

Finally, a shoe somewhat in the shape of a mandrake is known from the older U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,390. This shoe has separately formed insertion zones for each individual toe. In a preferred embodiment form of this approach for constructing a shoe, which was never seriously pursued in view of its external form, there is a line of increased flexibility along a connecting curve of the articulation of all of the toes with the cuneiform bones and cuboid, respectively. However, this document does not suggest constructing the outsole with a grid structure of irregularly formed lines.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aim of the present invention is to provide the user with a sole and a shoe having this sole, the respective design, construction and geometrical characteristics of which improve and enhance the natural movement of the foot during the movement cycle.

To allow a comprehensive appraisal of the present invention, the closed movement cycle of a walking human will first be considered analytically. This closed movement cycle involves not only the foot but also the entire lower extremity. For this purpose, the foot must contact the ground. When the foot contacts the ground, each movement of parts of this foot affects all of the other parts of the corresponding leg.

The walking movement of each leg is divided into the stance phase and the swing phase. The stance phase is further differentiated into three component phases; see FIG. 1 which illustrates the human gait using the example of the right leg:

The contact phase, the first component phase of the stance phase, begins by the foot striking the ground with the outer edge of the heel. The tibia rotates internally and the inner side of the foot is raised slightly. In this phase, the foot rolls further inward until the metatarsus supports the full weight. The tibia rotates externally and the ankle pronates (rolls inward) by up to 8° so that the foot prepares for the propulsive phase. In this phase, the gradual lowering of the foot by the muscles (tibialis anterior and tibialis posterior) is important for absorbing shocks just as the elbow bends when catching a ball. At the end of the contact phase, the outer side of the foot contacts the ground and the phase is concluded when the forefoot is in full contact with the ground. The forefoot spreads out and becomes wider. The metatarsal bones gradually contact the ground from the outside to the inside.

The spreading out of the metatarsals leads to a stimulation of the mechanoreceptors (sensory cells that transform mechanical forces into neural excitation) which in turn, by way of a reflex mechanism, ensure that other muscles responsible for the stability of the entire extremity are activated when walking. These include the front thigh muscles. This reflex or reaction is also known as the “positive support reaction.”

The primary function of this phase is to absorb shocks when striking the ground and to adapt to different ground surfaces (adaptation). The inventor is convinced that shoes which do not allow any flexibility would make this shock absorption impossible and would therefore lead in time to foot problems and joint problems.

The second component phase of the stance phase, the midstance phase, begins with the forefoot fully contacting the ground and ends with the heel lifting off from the ground. Body weight travels over the foot when the tibia and the rest of the body move forward. The primary function of the foot in this phase is to store, with as little loss as possible, the energy gained during the first component phase and reserve it for the propulsive phase—comparable to a bouncing rubber ball.

The third component phase of the stance phase, the propulsive phase, begins with the lifting of the heel; the muscles, ligaments and tendons are flexed. The forefoot and hindfoot together form a springboard by which the toes can lift the weight of the body (forward) off the ground. The body is propelled forward during this component phase, the weight being shifted to the other foot when this other foot makes contact with the ground. This phase has a duration of approximately 0.2 seconds and takes up 33% of the entire stance phase. At the start of this third component phase of the stance phase, the subtalar joint supinates (rolls outward) and ensures that the center of pressure remains under the outer side of the forefoot. This in turn ensures that the cuboid bone (4) locks with the navicular bone (3) (FIG. 3). The foot transforms from mobile adaptor to rigid lever in order to propel the body forward during this phase. The locking of the cuboid (4) with respect to the navicular (3) provides for a very strong support through the participating ligaments and, in so doing, spares the muscles which would otherwise be severely tasked, since the vertical forces at this moment can exceed 125% of the body weight. Towards the end of the propulsive phase, the cuboid bone (4), which was locked at the start of the propulsive phase, must be unlocked. A co-contraction of the fibularis longis (also known as peroneus muscle) and tibialis anterior takes place, which leads to counter-contractions and brings about a transverse pulling and supporting effect which substantially aligns the bones of the midtarsal region. The supporting effect of the tendons of the peroneus longus muscle around the cuboid (4) is essential for control of the function of the transverse arch for stability and adaptability. To reach an end of the propulsive phase in which the big toe leaves the ground, the foot must now rotate internally—otherwise known as pronation. If the cuboid (4) were not released or unlocked, each joint would lose a small proportion of its movement and, therefore, also a small proportion of its forces needed for toe-off: this would lead to inhibition of muscular force, endurance, balance and proprioception. Moreover, there would be a tendency to lateral sprains because this structure is basically a raising structure (supination) and the person could not achieve a functional lowering (pronation). In such a case, the natural flow of force through the foot illustrated in FIG. 2 would be interrupted or impaired.

Midway through the propulsive phase, the foot moves over the oblique axis (16) of the second to fifth metatarsal bones to the transverse axis (17) of the big toe; see the illustration in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 illustrates the oblique axis (16), the transverse axis (17) and the various lengths of the first and second metatarsal bones. At the same time, reference is made in this connection to FIG. 3 which shows the bone structure of a human foot and gives the names of all of the important bones mentioned herein.

Before the big toe leaves the ground, there occurs a dorsiflexion of the big toe together with the four small toes of the same foot and a plantarflexion of the first metatarsal bone (8) together with the other metatarsal bones of the same foot. The dorsiflexion of the big toe is known as the windlass effect and is made possible because of the contraction of the extensor hallicus longus muscle. With the dorsiflexion of the big toe, the sesamoid bones move forward and upward around the head of the metatarsus and thus maximize the tension of the flexor hallicus longus muscle.

A very significant neutral occurrence during the propulsive phase is the proprioceptive activation of the toe flexors and toe extensors. When the stimulus occurs under the outer side of the foot, the muscles of the toe flexors are activated; conversely when the stimulus occurs under the inner side of the foot, the muscles of the toe extensors are activated.

Since the metatarsal bone (8) of the big toe is shorter than that of the second toe—see FIG. 3—it is important that the toe flexors are activated when the sole of the foot is stimulated on the outer side because otherwise the walking person's entire weight and the propulsive forces would have to be supported exclusively by the metatarsal bones.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the right-foot gait and the stance phase subdivided into its three subphases: the contact phase, midstance phase and propulsive phase;

FIG. 2 illustrates the natural flow of force through the foot in more detail. The flow of force begins slightly to the side in the heel and then flows forward between the first and second metatarsal bones and exits the foot through the big toe;

FIG. 3 is a skeleton of a human foot;

FIG. 4 is a skeleton of a human foot;

FIG. 5 is a skeleton of a human foot showing connecting curves;

FIG. 6 is a skeleton of a human foot; and

FIG. 7 is a dome shaped structure.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Proceeding from the state of knowledge described in the preceding paragraphs as interpreted by the inventor also within the context of the problems in the design of previous shoes and the soles thereof, the inventor now proposes an outsole for a shoe, wherein at least a portion of the outsole has a grid structure of intersecting lines along the course of which the outsole has increased flexibility, characterized in that the grid structure is irregularly formed by lines that are determined

    • on the one hand at least by the course of the connecting curve (14-2) through the toe joints
    • (a) between the distal phalanx (10) and the proximal phalanx (9) of the big toe and
    • (b) between the respective middle phalanx (12) and proximal phalanx (9) of the second, third, fourth and fifth toes;
    • and on the other hand by the course of the respective intermediate spaces between the five toes (15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4)
      when the sole according to the invention is positioned to fit under the wearer's foot.

Within the meaning of the present invention, all of the outward components of the shoe that are visible underneath the shoe, preferably including the shoe elements situated on the same horizontal plane as the visible components, are considered as the outsole.

The inventor proposes a shoe having at least

    • an upper part for covering at least a portion of the foot of a shoe wearer;
    • a sole connected to the upper part, wherein the sole has an insole that is suitable for coming into contact with the underside of the wearer's foot when the shoe is worn, and wherein the sole has an outsole, wherein at least a portion of the outsole has a grid structure of intersecting lines along the course of which the outsole has an increased flexibility, characterized in that the grid structure is irregularly formed by lines which are determined:
      • on the one hand by the course of the connecting curve (14-2) through the toe joints
      • (a) between the distal phalanx (10) and the proximal phalanx (9) of the big toe and
      • (b) between the respective middle phalanx (12) and proximal phalanx (9) of the second, third, fourth and fifth toes
      • and on the other hand by the course of the respective intermediate spaces between the five toes (15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4).

Within the meaning of the present invention, “shoe” designates conventional low-cut shoes, athletic shoes, sandals or boots without being limiting in any way to this list.

Additionally, the grid structure of the outsole preferably has at least one additional line selected from the lines that are determined by:

    • (a) the course of the connecting curve (14-1) through the toe joints between the respective distal phalanx (13) and middle phalanx (12) of the second, third, fourth and fifth toes,
    • (b) the course of the connecting curve (14-3) through the toe joints of the respective proximal phalanx (9) and the metatarsal bones (8, 11) of the five toes,
    • (c) the course of the connecting curve (14-4) of the articulation of the toes with the cuneiform bones (5, 6, 7) and the cuboid bone (4), respectively,
    • (d) the course of the connecting curve (14-5) in front of the navicular bone (3),
    • (e) the course of the connecting curve (14-6) behind the navicular bone (3) to behind the cuboid bone (4)
      when the sole according to the invention is positioned to fit under the wearer's foot.

FIG. 5 shows the connecting curves (14-1, 14-2, 14-3, 14-4, 14-5 and 14-6) on a human foot along that extend the lines along the course of which the outsole according to one embodiment of the invention has lines with increased flexibility.

The outsole proposed herein that it has an area of increased flexibility at least below the course of the connecting curve (14-2) through the toe joints: (a) between the distal phalanx (10) and the proximal phalanx (9) of the big toe; and (b) between the respective middle phalanx (12) and proximal phalanx (9) of the second, third, fourth and fifth toes; it is likewise fundamentally important that the outsole proposed herein has areas of increased flexibility in the course of the respective intermediate spaces between the five toes (15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4). It is definitely preferred that the proposed outsole has increased flexibility below each joint of the five toes because the ideas of the inventor to enable the natural movement of the foot also when wearing shoes is then realized in the best possible way in the sole and in a shoe having this sole.

The increased flexibility of the proposed outsole can be achieved through a reduced thickness of the sole in that profile indentations or profile notches are incorporated in the sole along the lines determined by the connecting curve (14-2) and optionally in addition through the connecting curves (14-1, 14-3, 14-4, 14-5 and 14-6) and by the course of the respective intermediate spaces between the five toes (15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4). These profile indentations or profile notches can be constructed singly but also as double or triple indentations or notches and, as a result of the double or triple repetition of indentations or notches, the flexibility can be further increased and adaptation to different foot geometries of the user can be improved.

Increased flexibility can also be achieved by altered sole material along the above-mentioned lines.

For visual reasons, it can be important to provide a more uniform distribution of the transversely extending lines between

    • the connecting curve (14-2) through the toe joints (a) between the distal phalanx (10) and the proximal phalanx (9) of the big toe and (b) between the respective middle phalanx (12) and proximal phalanx (9) of the second, third, fourth and fifth toes,
    • and the connecting curve (14-4) of the articulation of the toes with the cuneiform bones (5, 6, 7) and the cuboid bone (4), respectively,
      through the outer arch, inner arch and middle arch of the foot even if, in case of this more uniform distribution of the lines with increased flexibility, the curves located between the connecting curves (14-2) and (14-4) would no longer extend exactly below the respective joints of the five toes. Since an embodiment of this kind could be of especial interest commercially, this variant is also regarded as preferred within the meaning of the invention.

The shoe proposed herein having the outsole according to the invention in which at least a portion of the outsole has a grid structure of intersecting lines along the course of which the outsole has increased flexibility, which lines are determined

    • on the one hand at least by the course of the connecting curve (14-2) through the toe joints
    • (a) between the distal phalanx (10) and the proximal phalanx (9) of the big toe and
    • (b) between the respective middle phalanx (12) and proximal phalanx (9) of the second, third, fourth and fifth toes,
    • and on the other hand by the course of the respective intermediate spaces between the five toes (15-1, 15-2, 15-3, 15-4),
      additionally has in a particularly preferred embodiment form an insole which allows natural walking to a particularly great extent without pain or fatigue.

Through the combination of outsole and insole, which is accordingly proposed as a particularly preferred embodiment form, the inventor was able to suggest an especially consistent solution to the problem at hand, namely, to make available to the public a shoe whose design, construction and geometrical characteristics improve and enhance the natural movement of the foot during the movement cycle. Precisely by combining an outsole as proposed herein with an insole as proposed herein, a shoe is provided according to the invention which perfectly solves the above-stated problem of making available to the public a shoe by whose use a natural gait can be realized as far as possible.

Accordingly, the especially logical solution to this problem mentioned above is effected with an insole for a shoe, wherein the insole has a flat back side in direction of the shoe outsole, which is also proposed, and a dome-shaped structure (18) on the front side, and wherein the insole is characterized by the following features:

    • the dome-shaped structure (18) has a base surface of a maximum of 25% of the insole surface, and
    • the dome-shaped structure (18) is positioned under the cuboid bone (4) of the shoe wearer.

In a preferred embodiment form, the dome-shaped structure (18), shown in FIG. 7, of the insole claimed within the framework of the preferred embodiment form is positioned under the medial side of the cuboid bone (4) of the shoe wearer where the cuboid bone (4) borders the navicular bone (3) on one side and the calcaneus bone (2) on the other side. In this connection, reference is again made, on the one hand, to FIG. 3 which shows the bone structure of a human foot and names all of the important bones mentioned herein. On the other hand, reference is made to FIG. 6 which likewise shows the human foot in which all of the bones essential to the invention are designated and which further shows the goal of the dome-shaped structure corresponding to the present invention relating to the shoe in one of the preferred embodiments thereof.

The dome-shaped structure (18) of the insole is constructed so as to be elastic—for example, it is produced from permanently elastic plastics and/or gel materials, constructional variations of various hardness being preferred. It was shown in numerous trials upon which the present document is based that in a preferred embodiment the base surface of the dome-shaped structure (18) can even have a proportion of only a maximum of 20%, or even a maximum of 15%, of the insole surface. In particularly preferred embodiments, it is even possible to reduce the base surface of the dome-shaped structure (12) to a surface of 10% or less, particularly preferably even to a surface in a range from less than 4% to 8%, of the insole surface. In this case, however, the wearer of a shoe of this kind should intensively practice running or walking on these proposed insoles with dome-shaped structure (18) having a particularly drastically reduced base surface because it could be less comfortable under certain circumstances.

The dome-shaped structure (18) is generally constructed in the form of a truncated cone or truncated pyramid which is rounded on the base side and apex side, wherein the height (21) of the dome-shaped structure (18) is preferably in a range from 3 to 20 mm. The rounded apex (19) of the truncated cone or truncated pyramid facing the cuboid bone (4) of the shoe wearer can accordingly be circular or square. In an embodiment form which is particularly preferred and which is considered by the inventor to be the best, the truncated cone or truncated pyramid has a rectangle or an ellipse at least at its rounded apex (19) facing the cuboid bone (4) of the shoe wearer, wherein the rectangle or ellipse has a longitudinal-transverse ratio in a range of 1:1, or greater than 1:1, to 4:1 and particularly preferably in a range of 1.2:1 to 3:1.

When the truncated cone or truncated pyramid has a rectangle or ellipse at its rounded apex (19) facing the cuboid bone (4) of the shoe wearer with a longitudinal-transverse ratio at least in a range from 1:1, or greater than 1:1, to 4:1, a longitudinal axis (22) can be associated with the dome-shaped structure (18) at the apex (19) thereof. It was shown to be particularly effective in the trials upon which the present document is based when the longitudinal axis (22) of the dome-shaped structure (18) extends along the medial edge of the cuboid bone (4) and particularly and preferably then encloses an angle (φ) of from 5° to 75° with the longitudinal axis of the insole.

A particularly preferred range for the angle (φ) between the longitudinal axis (16) of the dome-shaped structure (12) and the longitudinal axis of the insole is from 5° to 50°, more preferably from 5° to 35°, and most preferably an angle range (φ) from 25° to 35°.

For an illustration of the dome-shaped structure (18) as truncated cone, reference is made particularly to FIG. 7 which shows a corresponding truncated cone. The position of the angle (φ) is further illustrated particularly in FIG. 6.

In a one embodiment of the insole according to the invention, the insole is inseparably connected to the dome-shaped structure (18). This can be achieved by the insole and dome-shaped structure (18) being fabricated separately and subsequently insolubly glued; this can also be achieved by the insole and dome-shaped structure (18) being cast integrally from a suitable plastics material without limiting in any way to these two possibilities.

In a one embodiment of the insole according to the invention, the insole and dome-shaped structure (18) both have connection components, and the connection components of the insole are formed with the connection components of the dome-shaped structure (18) such that insole and dome-shaped structure (18) are connected to one another so as to be difficult to separate. This separability is desirable when the possibility of exchanging the dome-shaped structure (18) while retaining the insole is afforded as is preferred by the inventor. When exchange of the dome-shaped structure (18) is possible, the latter can be replaced in a particularly simple and convenient manner in case of wear or when a different hardness and/or a different outer shape or dimension is desired.

The connection components between insole and dome-shaped structure (18) are preferably selected from the list comprising:

    • hook-and-loop strips,
    • recessed channels in the insole and springs engaging in the channels under the base (20) of the dome-shaped structure (18), and
    • recessed channels in the base (20) of the dome-shaped structure (18) and springs engaging in the channels at the front side of the insole.

In case recessed channels in the insole are selected as connection components between insole and dome-shaped structure (18), a preferred embodiment, these recessed channels in the insole extend at an angle of 80° to 100° to the longitudinal axis (22) of the dome-shaped structure (18). Given this choice of angle at which the recessed channels in the insole and the springs engaging in the channels in a corresponding manner below the base (20) of the dome-shaped structure (18) extend virtually at right angles to the longitudinal axis (22) of the dome-shaped structure (18), the insole and dome-shaped structure (18) are connected to one another in a particularly resistant manner so that such an alignment of channels and springs is particularly suitable for athletic shoes. In a particularly preferred constructional variant of the described embodiment form, the channels which are recessed in the insole extend up to at least an outer edge of the insole so that the springs below the base (20) of the dome-shaped structure (18) can be inserted into the recessed channels of the insole proceeding from the outer edge of the insole.

In case recessed channels in the base (20) of the dome-shaped structure (18) are selected as connection components between insole and dome-shaped structure (18), it is preferable that these recessed channels extend along the longitudinal axis (22) of the dome-shaped structure (18). The springs corresponding to the recessed channels along the longitudinal axis (22) of the dome-shaped structure (18) are formed on the front side of the insole. Insofar as the channels are guided into the base (20) of the dome-shaped structure (18) up to the outer edge of the dome-shaped structure (18), it is particularly simple and convenient to insert the channels proceeding from the end of the springs. Snap-in elements in the channels and associated springs prevent an unintentional slipping of the dome-shaped structure (18) relative to the insole on one hand and facilitate an exact alignment of the dome-shaped structure (18) relative to the insole on the other hand.

Insofar as the connection components between the insole and dome-shaped structure (18) are realized by channels and springs to be inserted into the channels, it is particularly preferable when the recessed channels are undercut and the springs are formed so as to widen outward in a corresponding manner.

In another preferred embodiment form, the construction of the dome-shaped structure (12) and the connection thereof to the insole is realized by a preferably three-part component structure comprising base (12-1), center piece (12-2) and dome (12-3). In this case, the base (12-1) which is generally made from an inelastic, durable plastic or from carbon fibers is positioned under the insole ideally in the middle of a bottom structure of the insole which corresponds in an exactly fitting manner to the base (12-1) and which receives the base (12-1), and the base (12-1) comprises connection elements for connecting to the center piece (12-2) by frictional engagement. These connection elements for connecting base (12-1) and center piece (12-2) by frictional engagement can be constructed, for example, as matching eyelet/pin elements having a snap-in function.

Like the base (12-1), the center piece (12-2) itself is preferably produced from an inelastic, durable plastic or from carbon fibers and is positioned above the base (12-1) in the plane of the insole; to this end, the insole has a continuous hole in the outer shape of the center piece (12-2). Ideally, the center piece (12-2) can be inserted by guiding through the hole in the insole in an exactly fitting manner from above until it is pressed onto the base (12-1) for connecting to the latter.

On top, the center piece (12-2) preferably has:

    • either at least one recessed channel, in which case the dome (12-3) has the at least one matching spring engaging in this channel,
    • or at least one spring, in which case the dome (12-3) has the at least one matching channel in which the spring of the center piece (12-2) can engage.
      The above-mentioned dome (12-3) is constructed so as to be elastic and, for example, is produced from permanently elastic plastic and/or from gel material which may be covered with a suitable outer material if required.

In a specific instance of the preferred embodiment form described above, the base (12-1) and center piece (12-2) can also be constructed as a cohesive workpiece which is either assembled before being inserted in an exactly fitting manner through the hole in the insole, this time from below, from the two individually fabricated pieces, base (12-1) and center piece (12-2), and possibly glued, or is fabricated directly in one piece, in which case this workpiece has a bottom part as base (12-1) and a top part as center piece (12-2).

It is considered particularly preferable when the insole, as an integral component part of the proposed shoe, is glued and/or sewed to the outsole of a shoe and, as the case may be, also to the top part of this shoe.

Thus, while there have shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices illustrated, and in their operation, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the invention. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment of the invention may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. An outsole for a shoe, comprising:

a grid structure over at least a portion of the outsole having intersecting lines along a course of which the outsole has increased flexibility, the grid structure is irregularly formed by lines determined by one of: a course of a connecting curve through toe joints at least one of: between a distal phalanx and a proximal phalanx of a big toe; and between a respective middle phalanx and proximal phalanx of second, third, fourth and fifth toes; and a course of respective intermediate spaces between five toes.

13. A shoe comprising:

an upper part for covering at least a portion of a foot of a shoe wearer;
a sole that is connected to the upper part;
an insole of the sole configured to come into contact with an underside of the wearer's foot when the shoe is worn; and
an outsole of the sole, wherein at least a portion of the outsole has a grid structure of intersecting lines along the course of which the outsole has an increased flexibility, the grid structure is irregularly formed by lines determined by at least one of: a course of a connecting curve through toe joints one of: between a distal phalanx and a proximal phalanx of a big toe; and between a respective middle phalanx and proximal phalanx of second, third, fourth, and fifth toes a course of a respective intermediate spaces between the five toes.

14. The outsole according to claim 12, wherein the grid comprises at least one additional line selected from lines determined when the sole is positioned to fit under the wearer's foot by:

a course of a connecting curve through the toe joints between a respective distal phalanx and the middle phalanx of the second, third, fourth and fifth toes,
a course of the connecting curve through the toe joints of the respective proximal phalanx and a metatarsal bones of the five toes,
a course of a connecting curve of articulation of the toes with cuneiform bones and cuboid bone, respectively,
a course of a connecting curve in front of a navicular bone, and
a course of a connecting curve behind the navicular bone to behind the cuboid bone.

15. The outsole according to claim 14, wherein the increased flexibility is achieved by at least one of two-fold and three-fold profile indentations in the outsole.

16. The shoe according to claim 13, wherein the shoe additionally has an insole, wherein the insole has a flat back side in direction of the outsole of the shoe and a dome-shaped structure on a front side, wherein

the dome-shaped structure has a base surface a maximum of 25% of an insole surface; and
the dome-shaped structure is positioned under the cuboid bone of the shoe wearer.

17. The shoe according to claim 16, wherein the dome-shaped structure is positioned under the medial side of the cuboid bone of the shoe wearer, the cuboid bone borders the navicular bone on one side and a calcaneus bone on the other side.

18. The shoe according to claim 17, wherein the dome-shaped structure has a base surface that is a maximum of 10% of the insole surface.

19. The shoe according to claim 18, wherein the dome-shaped structure has a longitudinal to transverse ratio in a range from 1.2:1 to 3:1.

20. The shoe according to claim 19, wherein the dome-shaped structure has a height in a range from 3 to 20 mm.

21. The shoe according to claim 20, wherein a longitudinal axis of the dome-shaped structure extends along the medial edge of the cuboid bone that encloses an angle of from 5° to 35° with the longitudinal axis of the insole.

22. The shoe according to claim 21, wherein the insole and the dome-shaped structure both have complementary connection components, wherein the connection components of the insole are formed with the connection components of the dome-shaped structure for the separable connection of insole and dome-shaped structure.

Patent History
Publication number: 20120192455
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 1, 2010
Publication Date: Aug 2, 2012
Inventors: Christian Thagaard Hansen (Flensburg), Mario Iseppi (Geneve)
Application Number: 13/500,044
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Having Particular Outsole (e.g., Sectional Sole) (36/103); 36/25.00R
International Classification: A43B 13/14 (20060101); A43B 13/00 (20060101);