초록 ▼

An outsole construction for a shoe which provides all midsole and outsole functions with a single homogeneous moldable material thorough geometry alone is disclosed. The invention employs cut-out geometry for engineering various characteristics into an outsole of a uniform, monolithic material. Such

An outsole construction for a shoe which provides all midsole and outsole functions with a single homogeneous moldable material thorough geometry alone is disclosed. The invention employs cut-out geometry for engineering various characteristics into an outsole of a uniform, monolithic material. Such characteristics are obtained by removing material or reinforcing the material so that it functions as if it had different densities. The invention is based on the principle of minimum sufficient thickness in order to maintain the foot as close to the ground as possible. Energy absorption/cushioning is achieved in the invention by the following features: (1) a series of transverse slots along the lateral border to provide cushion conformability to the lower foot column; (2) an array of compression columns or holes in the heel region to accept the known pressure distributions; (3) an array of small holes in the ball region to add both cushioning and flexibility; (4) a raised heel cup to constrain the heel fat pad expansion during impact and enhance the natural shock absorbing characteristics of the foot; and (5) relief of the rear lateral heel border to dynamically smooth and cushion initial heel strike. The outsole construction of the present invention may be advantageously employed to provide anchor sites for a transverse support sling having straps which are carried over the top of the midfoot and allowed to fan out with attachment to the outsole under the upper and lower columns of the foot. A further embodiment of the invention provides reference anchor points in the outsole for attachment of the shoe upper, thus eliminating the need for a shoe last in manufacturing.

대표청구항 ▼

An improved monolithic outsole formed as a homogeneous structure for mating with a shoe upper to provide a shoe construction, comprising: an elongated planar member having the general outline of a foot with a heel region, a ball region and a midfoot region between said heel and ball regions, and wit

An improved monolithic outsole formed as a homogeneous structure for mating with a shoe upper to provide a shoe construction, comprising: an elongated planar member having the general outline of a foot with a heel region, a ball region and a midfoot region between said heel and ball regions, and with lateral and medial sides or borders and formed with a monolithic structure, said planar member having a plurality of parallel transverse slots located in the upper surface of said planar member in the midfoot region adjacent the lateral border and with said transverse slots being located outside the region of said outsole which is directly under the arch of the foot, said slots being generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said planar member.