Sole Structure for a Sports Shoe

Abstract

A sole structure for a sports shoe that controls bendability of a forefoot region of the sole structure. The sole structure includes an upper midsole disposed on an upper side of the forefoot region of the sports shoe and formed of a soft elastic material, a lower midsole disposed under the upper midsole and formed of a soft elastic material, and an outsole that is disposed on a lower surface of the lower midsole and that has sole bent grooves extending substantially in a sole width direction. Both the lower surface of the upper midsole and the upper surface of the lower midsole have corrugated mating surfaces that are formed of wavy shapes extending substantially in a sole longitudinal direction. Ridge lines and trough lines of the wavy shapes of the upper midsole extend substantially in the sole width direction. The ridge lines of the wavy shapes of the upper midsole of a relatively higher hardness are overlapped with the sole bent grooves of the outsole in a vertical direction.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to a sole structure for a sports shoe, and more particularly, to the sole structure that can control bendability of a forefoot region by preventing an excessive bending of the forefoot region.[0002]EP3146862A2 discloses an article of footwear that includes a midsole having an undulating (i.e. zigzag) shape with alternating peaks and troughs in a sole longitudinal direction (see para. [0018] and FIGS. 1 and 2). The midsole has a gap formed between the adjacent peaks (i.e. above the trough between the adjacent peaks) and between the adjacent troughs (i.e. below the peak between the adjacent troughs). The gap between the adjacent peaks and the gap between the adjacent troughs extend across the entire width of the midsole (see para. [0018] and FIGS. 1 and 2).[0003]In the sole structure described in EP3146862A2, when the troughs of the undulating (or zigzag-shaped) midsole contact the ground surface a compressive fo...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a shoe design that improves the bendability and cushioning properties of the forefoot region. It achieves this by using a thick part made of a high-rigidity material that prevents excessive bending and energy loss during use. Additionally, the design has corrugated surfaces that enhance the shoe's ability to cushion and absorb impact. Overall, this shoe design improves performance and comfort during running and other activities.

Problems solved by technology

However, in the structure of EP3146862A2, at the time of bending of the midsole, an excessive bending is likely to occur locally at the troughs of the zigzag-shaped midsole.

An occurrence of such a locally excessive bending causes an energy loss.

In the structure of JP Pat. No. 3403952, since the soft upper midsole is exposed at the bottom portion of the sole bent groove, an excessive bending is similarly likely to occur to cause an energy loss at the time of bending along the sole bent groove.

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