SOLE STRUCTURE AND THE MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF
The disclosed sole structure of the present invention comprises a first sole layer, a second sole layer and spikes. The first sole layer has an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of openings penetrating the upper surface. The spikes arrange at a side close to the lower surface and correspond to the openings. Each of the spikes has a gap with the corresponding opening. The second sole layer envelops the first sole layer. Wherein a portion of the second layer is attached to the upper surface, and another portion of the second sole layer is attached to the lower surface, and the second sole layer located to a side of the lower surface extends into the openings and connects to the spike.
The present invention generally relates to a sole structure, in particular for a sole structure having spikes.
2. Description of the prior artShoes provide protection for their user's feet. For sports shoes, they should not only provide protection but also stabilize the feet and provide better contact with the ground. Take football shoes as an example. Because the user runs for a long time, the soles are prone to wear and tear. It is necessary to have a wear-resistant sole structure. Furthermore, to reduce fatigue, the weight of the shoes also should be lightened. In a conventional sole structure, spikes are inserted directly into the sole structure. When treading on ground, especially while running, such a structure increases the risk of injury due to increased impact to the foot. Therefore, the conventional sole structure needs to be improved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a sole structure and the manufacturing method for the sole structure to improve overall elasticity and durability.
The sole structure comprises a first sole layer, a second sole layer and spikes. The first sole layer has an upper surface and a lower surface, and there are a plurality of openings penetrating the upper surface. The spikes are located at the side close to the lower surface and correspond to the openings. There is a gap between each of the spikes and its corresponding opening. The second sole layer envelops the first sole layer, wherein a portion of the second layer is attached to the upper surface, and another portion of the second sole layer is attached to the lower surface. The part of the second sole layer located adjacent to the side of the lower surface extends into the openings and connects to the spikes.
In an embodiment, the first sole layer has a plurality of tubular walls surrounding the peripheries of the openings respectively, and such tubular walls extend to the side of the lower surface, and the end of the tubular wall away from the openings contracts towards the center of the opening, and the second sole layer envelops the tubular walls.
In an embodiment, the gap is located between the end of the tubular walls away from the lower surface and the spikes.
In an embodiment, the first sole layer is a hard-fiber sole layer and the second sole layer is a thermoplastic-elastic sole layer.
In an embodiment, the second sole layer and the spikes are identical in material.
In an embodiment, the first sole layer is a carbon-fiber sole layer, and the second sole layer is a thermoplastic polyurethane sole layer.
A method for manufacturing the sole structure comprises steps below: forming a plurality of spikes in the mold; placing a first sole layer in the mold, with the first sole layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, and a plurality of openings penetrating the upper surface; placing the spikes at the side close to the lower surface and making them correspond to the openings, with a gap between each of the spikes and its corresponding opening.
The manufacturing method further comprises: dispensing an uncured second sole layer in the mold, wherein, a portion of the second sole layer is attached to the upper surface, and another portion of the second sole layer is attached to the lower surface, and the side of the second sole layer located on the lower surface extends into the openings and connects to the spikes.
In an embodiment, the first sole layer has a plurality of tubular walls surrounding the peripheries of the openings respectively, and such tubular walls extend to the side of the lower surface, and the end of the tubular walls away from the openings contracts towards the center of the opening, and the second sole layer envelops the tubular walls.
In an embodiment, the gap is located between the end of the tubular walls away from the lower surface and the spikes.
In an embodiment, the first sole layer is a hard-fiber sole layer and the second sole layer is a thermoplastic-elastic sole layer.
In an embodiment, the second sole layer and the spikes are identical in material.
In an embodiment, the first sole layer is a carbon-fiber sole layer and the second sole layer is a thermoplastic polyurethane sole layer.
The present invention provides a sole structure having elasticity to enhance protection for the feet. The sole structure of the present invention applies to sports shoes such as, but not limited to, football shoes.
In addition, the sole structure 10 includes a second sole layer 120 and spikes 130. The spikes 130 are disposed at a side close to the lower surface 114 and correspond to the openings 116. For example, each of the openings 116 corresponds to a spike 130. The second sole layer 120 envelops the first sole layer 110, wherein a part of the second sole layer 120 adheres to the upper surface 112, and a part of the second sole layer 120 adheres to the lower surface 114. As shown in
Refer to
In an embodiment, the tubular wall encircles to form a closed type. For example, the tubular wall 111 in
Moreover, as shown in
Refer to
As shown in
In another embodiment, additional channels, for example 24b, at different locations instead of corresponding to the openings are added to adjust the injection speed when the uncured second sole layer is injected.
In another embodiment, small holes penetrating the upper surface and the lower surface are added to the first sole layer 110, for example, at the location 24b. The uncured second sole layer flows to the lower surface via the openings and the locations other than the borders of the first sole layer to adjust the uniformity of the dispensing.
After the second sole layer cures, the manufacturing of the sole structure is complete.
In an embodiment, the first sole layer is a hard-fiber sole layer and the second sole layer is a thermoplastic-elastic sole layer. Therefore, the sole structure has better elasticity. The user's foot is not easily fatigued because the design is a thermoplastic-elastic sole layer enveloping a hard-fiber sole layer. Thus, the portion of the second sole layer which extends from the lower surface to the spikes along the tubular wall provides elasticity. In addition, the portion of the second sole layer which extends into the openings connects the side attached to the lower surface and the side attached to the upper surface to form an integral piece to provide elasticity and durability and to reduce impact when stepping on the ground, which improves protection to the feet. In addition, the second sole layer and the spikes may be identical in material so that the strain on the second sole layer is similar to that on the spikes' to keep the structure stable. However, the material of the spikes is not limited to what is mentioned above.
In another embodiment, the first sole layer is a carbon-fiber sole layer and the second sole layer is a thermoplastic polyurethane (PTU) sole layer. Applying the carbon-fiber sole layer as the first sole layer decreases the overall weight. Applying the TPU sole layer as the second sole layer enveloping the first sole layer improves the durability of the sole structure and provides a good anti-bending effect while running
The present invention has been described by the embodiments mentioned above. However, the embodiments are only for examples. But necessary to point out that the disclosure embodiments are not intent to limit the present invention. Conversely, any modifications and equivalent setups which are included in the scope and spirt of the present invention are under the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A sole structure, comprising:
- a first sole layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of openings penetrating the upper surface;
- a plurality of spikes arranged at a side close to the lower surface corresponding to the openings, each of the spikes having a gap with the corresponding opening; and
- a second sole layer enveloping the first sole layer;
- wherein a portion of the second sole layer is attached to the upper surface, and another portion of the second sole layer is attached to the lower surface, and the second sole layer located to a side of the lower surface extends into the openings and is connected to the spikes.
2. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first sole layer has a plurality of tubular walls respectively surrounding peripheries of the openings and extending to the side of the lower surface, an end of the tubular wall away from the openings contracts toward to a center of the opening, and the second sole layer envelops the tubular walls
3. The sole structure of claim 2, wherein the gap is located between an end of the tubular walls away from the lower surface and the spikes.
4. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first sole layer is a hard-fiber sole layer, and the second sole layer is a thermoplastic-elastic sole layer.
5. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the second sole layer and the spikes are identical in material.
6. The sole structure of claim 1, wherein the first sole layer is a carbon-fiber sole layer, and the second sole layer is a thermoplastic polyurethane sole layer.
7. A method for manufacturing a sole structure by a mold, comprising:
- forming a plurality of spikes in the mold;
- arranging a first sole layer in the mold, the first sole layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, a plurality of openings penetrating the upper surface, the spikes arranged at a side close to the lower surface corresponding to the openings, each of the spikes having a gap with the corresponding opening; and
- dispensing an uncured second sole layer in the mold;
- wherein a portion of the second sole layer is attached to the upper surface, and another portion of the second sole layer is attached to the lower surface, and a side of the second sole layer located on the lower surface extends to the openings and is connected to the spikes.
8. The method for manufacturing a sole structure of claim 7, wherein the first sole layer has a plurality of tubular walls respectively surrounding peripheries of the openings and extending to a side of the lower surface, an end of the tubular walls away from the openings contracts toward to a center of the opening, and the second sole layer envelops the tubular walls.
9. The method for manufacturing a sole structure of claim 8, wherein the gap is located between an end of the tubular wall away from the lower surface and the spikes.
10. The method for manufacturing a sole structure of claim 7, wherein the first sole layer is a hard-fiber sole layer, and the second sole layer is a thermoplastic-elastic sole layer.
11. The method for manufacturing a sole structure of claim 7, wherein the second sole layer and the spikes are identical in material.
12. The method for manufacturing a sole structure of claim 7, wherein the first sole layer is a carbon-fiber sole layer, and the second sole layer is a thermoplastic polyurethane sole layer.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 24, 2018
Publication Date: Dec 12, 2019
Inventor: YIH-PING LUH (Taipei City)
Application Number: 16/480,343