Shoe with an articulated spring-loaded outsole

Abstract

Shoe (1), especially an athletic shoe, with a midsole (2) and an upper (3) connected to the midsole (2), the midsole (2) having a base body (2a) which is connected to the upper (3), and a bottom plate (2b). To improve the adjustability of the spring properties and / or the damping properties of the shoe sole, it is provided that at least one part (4, 5) of the bottom plate (2b) is connected to the base body (2a) by a hinge at an articulation point (7). Furthermore, at least one spring element (8) is provided between the side of the part (4, 5) of the bottom plate (2b) facing the base body (2a) and the side of the base body (2a) facing the part (4, 5) of the bottom plate (2b). Preferably, one spring is provided in the heel area and a plurality of springs are provided in the forefoot area.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The invention relates to a shoe, especially an athletic shoe, with a midsole and an upper connected to the midsole, the midsole being connected between a base body which is connected to the upper, and a bottom plate (outsole). [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] A shoe of this type is known from published European Patent Application No. EP 0 552 994 B1 and corresponding U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,325. The upper is connected to the base body. While the midsole is connected to an outsole in the forward shoe area, the base body and the outsole diverge from one another in the shape of a wedge toward the end of the shoe. Between the base body and the outsole in the heel area a torsion spring is disposed between a pair of interior plates and the bottom plate can deflect relative to the outsole by compression of the spring. While the resiliency of the shoe sole can be influenced via a spring insert of this type, it is...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] It is a primary object of the present invention is to provide a shoe, especially an athletic shoe and especially preferably a running shoe, such that it becomes possible to adjust the spring properties and / or the damping properties of the shoe sole in a manner as defined as possible and to adapt them to given boundary conditions as well as to change these properties if necessary.

[0006] Furthermore, it is a further object to make it possible to influence the stability of the shoe and especially of the sole in an improved manner.

[0014] The stability of the sole can be increased by the base body, on its side facing the bottom plate, bearing a guide element which interacts with an opposing guide element which is located on the side of the bottom plate facing the base body, the guide element and the opposing guide element, upon interaction, preventing or limiting the relative displacement of the base body and the bottom plate transversely relative to the lengthwise axis of the shoe. The guide element and the opposing guide element can be formed by crosspiece-like elevations which are located on the base body or on the bottom plate and which can be caused to engage one another such that relative displacement of the two parts transversely relative to the lengthwise axis of the shoe is prevented.

[0023] Furthermore, the bottom plate can have recesses which are matched to the shape of the spring elements in a profile perpendicular to the vertical. In this way, it becomes possible to save weight, on the one hand, and on the other hand, the spring element can thus be made visible from underneath. These recesses can be re-filled with transparent plastic material.

[0025] With respect to the material of the sole components, it has proven effective when the base body and / or the bottom plate and / or the spring element are made of plastic, especially of a thermoplastic material, preferably of polyamide, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutane, polyvinyl chloride or a mixture of at least two of these plastics. The plastic preferably has a Shore hardness between 75A and 65D; it can be transparent or translucent.

Problems solved by technology

While the resiliency of the shoe sole can be influenced via a spring insert of this type, it is not possible to adjust the spring / damping properties with such an arrangement.

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