CA2227108A1 - Footwear with mountain goat traction elements - Google Patents
Footwear with mountain goat traction elements Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2227108A1 CA2227108A1 CA002227108A CA2227108A CA2227108A1 CA 2227108 A1 CA2227108 A1 CA 2227108A1 CA 002227108 A CA002227108 A CA 002227108A CA 2227108 A CA2227108 A CA 2227108A CA 2227108 A1 CA2227108 A1 CA 2227108A1
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- lugs
- traction elements
- relatively
- traction
- soft
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
- A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
- A43B13/22—Soles made slip-preventing or wear-resisting, e.g. by impregnation or spreading a wear-resisting layer
- A43B13/24—Soles made slip-preventing or wear-resisting, e.g. by impregnation or spreading a wear-resisting layer by use of insertions
- A43B13/26—Soles made slip-preventing or wear-resisting, e.g. by impregnation or spreading a wear-resisting layer by use of insertions projecting beyond the sole surface
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
- A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
- A43B13/18—Resilient soles
- A43B13/20—Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas
Abstract
Footwear intended primarily for outdoor use, wherein a variety of ground conditions are likely to be encountered, has a sole with traction elements inspired by the hoof of a mountain goat. In several embodiments, an interior region of the sole is provided with a plurality of pairs of relatively soft protruding pods, while a perimetric region surrounding the interior region includes a plurality of relatively hard lugs provided on opposite sides of the pod pairs. The pods extend downwardly below the lugs such that they will make initial ground contact and compress. The compression cushions initial impact and increases the area of ground contact to improve traction on firm smooth surfaces. The compression also brings the lugs into ground engagement, following initial contact, to improve stability and traction on irregular and soft ground surfaces. Other embodiments of the invention implement similar principles, in soles having a more conventional (less goat hoof-like) appearance. In one embodiment, relatively soft rubber outsole lugs take the place of the pods. In another embodiment, the sole includes combination lugs including relatively hard and soft portions of differing height. In a further embodiment, an interior region of a water sandal sole includes relatively soft traction elements in the form of relatively large soft regions of the midsole covered with a thin layer of rubber outsole material; the interior region is surrounded by a perimeter of hard lugs.
Description
FOOTWEAR Wll~
MOUNTAIN GOAT TRACTION ELEMENTS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to footwear, and in particular athletic and recre.~tio~AI footwear, e.g., running shoes, hiking shoes and s~qn-l~l.c, used in con-lition.c in whlich a variety of ground s ~rf~Aces are typically encountered.
Modern athletic and recreAtionAl shoes typic.lly comprise a h~ighly refined cGll~,i,l&lion of elements configured with the goal of optimally bAlAnring in light of the sport or activity for which the shoe is dçQi~e~l the often competing concerns ofcushioning, stability, durability and traction. The modern athletic or recrentionAI shoe or~in~ily has a multi-layer sole construction colllplised of an outsole, a mirlsole and an insole. The outsole is normally formed of a durable material such as rubber to resist WWlill~, of the sole during use. In many cases, the outsole inr.l~1des lugs, cleats or other e~ ; to PnhAn~e traction. The mitlQole ordinarily forms the middle layer of the sole and is typically composed of a soft foam mAteriAl e.g., foamed polyuielllane or EVA, to cushion the impact forces e ~ ~ by the foot during athletic or recreationAI activities.
In order to further enhAnce c~lQhionin~ and reduce weight, it is known to incorporate Wi~il1 the midsole special c~lchionin~ Çl~ "~ , such as resilient fluid bladders, as taught inU.S. Patents Nos. 4,183,156; 4,219,945; 4,340,626 to Rudy and 4,813,302 to Parker et al.
Recently, interest has grown conciAerably in lightweight athletic and recrçAtionAI
shoes specially confi~)red for outdoor use. Lightweight mAteriAIc and constructions developed for athletic shoes used primarily on level planar s ~rfAces, e.g., running, bqQl~f~,tbq-ll bAcebAII and tennis, have made their way into the hiking arena, rep~ n~ the traditional bulky, heavy and stiffleather hiking boot. This evolution, and the consequent avail,~bility of lightweight trail shoes, e.g., the NIKE Mada and Terra trail shoes, has spurred the growth of trail running as a sporting event and form of conditioning. The same te~hn~ l~ gies have been utilized to provide improved s~n~ , e.g., the NrKE Terra and :Deschutz sqn~l~lc for use in wet and/or dry outdoor conditions, e.g., beachenvironm~ntc In hiking, trail running, beach combing and other outdoor activities, a variety of ground con-litiol-.C are likely to be encountered, vis, surfaces which are loose and firm, smooth and irregular, soft and hard, wet and dry, and in.-linçd and level.
A~letic and recreational shoes of known types are not ideally suited for the wide variety of ground conditions that may be encountered in the aforem~ntioned outdoor activhies. Rather, to a ~;~.;fi~r~ 11 degree, s~itability for one type of ground con~ition has been achieved at the P~ ~ of ~ t~-h;1 Iy for other conditions. In particular, the soles of known athletic shoes generally do not provide an oplin~2ed balance of cusl.iol-in~
stability and traction for diverse ground conditions. On one hand, a pattern of relatively deep, h~rd (stifl~ outsole lugs, e.g., as provided in known hiking boots and trail shoes, is ~ lc to provide traction on soft, loose and/or irregular s -~ces but can result in less than ildeal traction on smoother firmer s -~ces On the other hand, traction is rnhiA~nced on smlooth and firm ground ~ fi~ ~s by softer sole el~mr-nt.~ which co"lprejs to ~crea3e the area of contact b~t~,n the ground surface and the sole. Additionally, softer sole ~ r ..r,11~ can afford greater stability and comfort due to their increased shock abso~ g capabil~ties and ability to co,~llll to small surface irre.~ ritir-c, e.g., small rocks. But, such relalively soft ~le..r~ls generally lack the aforementioned desirable traction cha~ cti--is of hard lugs.
The e~iveness of a ~IO...~ goat's hoof in providing that animal with sure foo~r~ on diverse and c.~lrelllc ground conditions hac been recognized. A~c described in the book entitled Beasf the Color of Winter, the Mountain Goat Observed, by Dougla.
H Chadwick Sierra Club pub. (1983), "[t]he sides of a mountain goat's toes consist of the same hard keratin found on the hoof of a horse or deer. Each of the two wrap around toenails can be used to catch and hold to a crack or tiny knob of rock. ... The ...o....1i.;..
goat is shod with a special traction pad which protrudes slightly past the nail. This pad has a rough teAluled surfa.,e that provides a considerable amount of extra friction on smooth rock and ice. Yet it is pliant enough for any irregularities in a stone sul~stlale to becollle illlplessed in it and thereby add to the skidproofing effect."
The V-shape ofthe mollnt~in goat's hoofhas ~dditiQn~l benefits that are illustrated by the following further description provided in the aror~ ned book: "Make a wide V with your index and middle fingers and try pressing down against sol~-e~ p. with their tips. 'iince walking on an artiodactyl hoof is analol~ically similar to walking on the tips of two fingers, the mountain goat feels the muscles and tendons working against each other solllcwl~L the way you do. It adjusts the tensions accordingly in order to fine-tune its grip on uneven s -~c~,s . . . Now you will find that the more weight you put on your L~gcllips, the more they want to diverge sideways. In like fashion the mountain goat's toes &ivide the duwllwal-i force of the weight on a hoof. When your fingers, or the toes ofthe hoof, are placed on an incline surface, part ofthe weight continl~es to be directed ~;d~ a ho- ;~J,~ vector offorce as distinct from the vertical vector. There is thus less net force being exerted in a single dowllw~d line; hence there is less likelihood of o~c;l~)ll~ing the force offriction along that line and begi~ g to slide.... What is going on here is a fanning out of forces. If all the dowllwdld force could be COIl~t;l led into sideways forces, it would in effect be ~nt~led out.. The third and ffnal d;.. ~ )n iS
simpler to explain. So}id rock talus, &irt or snow can become wedged in the crotch of the V and act as an a~t~itif rl~l brake."
To a limited degree, r~lul~,s from animal anatomiies have been adapted for ~I~)ol~tiol into shoe sole designs. M~ w et al. U.S. Patent No. 4,769,931 ~ osesa cleated sole for footwear. The cleats are shaped and ~ ged in pairs to cim~ te animal hooves, ~lill~ily for the purpose of 1eSCFn;I~ noise and increasing traction for hunters.
A~l~li,~, to Morrow et al., a mil-;...;~a1;nn of noise is achieved by limiting wearer contact with l;he ground. An ~bs~nr,e of relatively soft (ground contact increasing) traction elc~ , precludes the possibility of obtnil~g benefits in traction (as ~ in~d above) of the type ~ .ed by the mountain goat's soft hoof pads.
In contrast to the Morrow et al. patent, Gross et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,367,791 di.ccloses an athletic shoe sole construction wherein an insert is provided with relatively soft "tips." According to the patent, the tips are strategically located to absorb shock add stability and reduce pronAtion The tips do not appear configured to siml-late an anillLl hoofin any way. Moreover, an absence of relatively hard traction elemPntc e.g., lugs, associated with the soft tips precludes benefits in traction similar to those that the moun.tain goat's toenails provide.
SUMl~ARY OF T~IE INVENTION
In view ofthe ~l~Oillg, it is a r~ Al object of the present invention to provideroo~ ar which is ideally suited for outdoor activities in which a wide variety of ground con~ition.c are l~ely to be P~ ed.
It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a sole confi~-ration for foot~rear which ~~ ~C traction and stability over a wide range of ground con-1ition-c It is a further object of the invention to provide a sole configuration for footwear inA~ in~ soft traction ei~-mpntc which are not prone to eAcess;v-e wear.
These and other objects are largely achieved by the present invention which, in a first a~Cpect, is embodied in footwear co..~ an upper and a cushioning sole attAched to the upper. The sole hac a ground eng~n surface in~ i~ a group of one or more ly soft co~ traction pl . .*-d ~ and a group of one or more rcla~i~ely hard lugs, stiffer in coll~~ than the traction rl~ , adjacpnt the group of traction elPm~ntc The traction el~.. lc extend dovvllw~dly below the lugs such that, in use, a bottom surface ofthe traction r,l~.. l~ will make in~itial ground contact and partially cGml)less.
The ~ lP1eDD;On c~chionc impact of ground engag~m~nt and increases ground cont ~t and is such that a bottom surface of said lugs is brought into ground contact after the initial ground cQnt~ct The lugs limit colllple.,~;ol1 ofthe traction elements and serve as a rel~ ely rigid catch for ill~ular and soft ground surfaces.
~ a second aspect, the footwear ofthe present invention comprises an upper and a cushioning sole attaçhPd to said upper. The sole has a ground Pn ~ng surface in5~hl~in~ an outer pelilnellic border region and an interior region surrounded by the border region. The interior region collllllises a group of one or more relatively soft co...pli~ d traction cl~ The border region comprises a pair of relatively hard lugs, stiffer in cG,l-pless;on than the traction Pl~mPnt~, a~j~cPn~ the group of traction Pl~nnP.ntc, at medial and lateral sides thereo~
The above and other objects, realu,es and advantages of the invention will be readily appa~ and fully understood from the following detailed descliplion of p~ ,led emba,d;.. ~ , taken in connection with the appended drawings.
m~n~,F D~ Tl'TION OF 1~, l~ WINGS
Figure 1 is a simplified p~;lDpe~,live view illustrating a lightweight trail shoe with a sole incl~ding traction ~I~m~ntc in a~oldance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 in Fig. 1.
Figure 3 is a p~lvye~ive view illuDllalil1g a sole co~struction of a second light~veight trail shoe embodirnent of the invention. .
Figures 4-7 are lateral side elevation views of the shoe shown in Fig, 3, seq~lenti~lly illustrating di~elelll stages of ground Pn~PmPnt, and ~sor~ted co,~leDD;on of the sole.
Figure 8 is a bottom plan view ofthe outsole ofthe shoe shown in Fig. 3.
Figure 9 is a lateral side elevation view of the outsole shown in Fig. 8.
Figure 10 is a longih~1in~1 cross-sectiQn~l view taken on line 10-10 in Fig. 8.
Figure 11 is a bottom plan view of a midsole of the shoe shown in Fig. 3.
Figure 12 is a lateral side elevation view of the m:1sole shown in Fig. 11.
Figure 13 is a longih~ in~l cross se~lional view taken on line 13-13 in Fig. 11.Figure 14 is a ll~L.~, ~ cross ~ n~l view of an ~c~.-..hly ofthe outsole of Fig.8 and the ~'-ole of Fig. 11, taken on lines 14-14 in Figs. 8 and 11.
Figure 15 is a pel ~yc~ e view illustrating a sole construction of a third lighter weight trail shoe embodiment of the invention.
25Figure 16 is a boKom plan view of an outsole of a shoe l.,presP...... I;~ a fourth embodiment of the invention.
Figure 17 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken on line 17-17 in Fig. 16.
Figure 18 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken on line 18-18 in Fig. 16.
Figure 19 is a l~.s~e.~e cross-sectional view taken on line 19-19 in Fig. 16.
Figure 20 is a transverse cross-sectio~l view taken on line 20-20 in Fig. 16.
Figure 21 is a medial side elevation view of the outsole shown in Fig. 16.
Figure 22 is a lone1t~-linAI cross-sectional view taken on line 22-22 in Fig. 16.
Figure 23 is a cross-sectiQn~l view taken on line 23-23 in Fig. 16.
Figure 24 is a cross-sectionAl view taken on line 24-24 in Fig. 16.
Figure 25 is a cross-section~l view taken on line 25-25 in Fig. 16.
Figure 26 is a top plan view of a prior art outsole lug.
Figure 27 is a side elevation view of the prior art lug shown in Fig. 26.
Figure 28 is a side elevational view ofthe lug shown in Fig 26, upon impact witha roc;k.
Figure 29 is a top plan view of a cG...hin;~l;on lug in accordallce with a f~h embo~limP-nt of the invention.
Figure 30 is a side elevation view of the lug shown in Fig. 29.
Figure 31 is a cross-sec!ti~ nAI view taken on line 31-31 in Fig. 29.
Figure 32 is a aoss se~,l;ol-sl view like Fig 31, showing impact of the lug with a rock.
Figure 33 is a side elevation view of a sandal rep.esf~ -e a sixth embodiment ofthe i,.~ ion.
Figure 34 is a bottom plan view of the sole (only outsole visible) of the sandalshovminFig. 33.
Figure 35 is a medial side view of the outsole showm in Fig. 34.
Figure 36 is a lateral side view of the outsole showm in Fig. 34.
Figure 37 is a lon~it l.1ingl cross-sectional view of the midsole of the sole shown in Fig.34, taken on line 37-37 in Fig. 34.
Figure 38 is a longi~ n-sl cross-sectional view of the outsole showm in Fig. 34,taken on line 37-37 in Fig. 34.
I)ET.Al~,~.n DESCRIPTION OF T~E PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to Fig. 1, a lightweight trail shoe 1 according to the present invention comprises an upper 3 of known construction and a sole 5 attached to upper 3.
Sole 5 co~ ;~ an outsole 7 of wear les;sl~ll material, e.g., rubber, and a midsole 9 of light~eight cushioning material, e.g., foamed polyurethane or EVA. Midsole 9 andoutso]le 7 together form a ground eng~ng surface having two groups of traction c~ In a perimetric border region of the sole are a plurality of relatively deep lugs 11 formed ofthe relatively hard rubber outsole material. Lugs 11 plerel~bly extend along the entire lengths of each ofthe medial and lateral sides, and may also wrap contin-lously around the heel region of the sole. An interior region of the sole in~ des a plurality of pairs of l.,lalively soft and compli~nt protruding pods 13.
As best seen in Fig. 2, pods 13 cor..l.. ;~e a core of relatively soft resilient foam material 15 cc~vered with a relatively thin layer 17 of wear les;s~ msteri~l 17. Foam material 15 may be the same m~t~ri~l that is used for rnidsole 9, e.g., Phylon (a foamed EVA). Preferably, m~tçri~l 15 is a dilrerelll m~teri~l which is scillle~.lldl softer (less stiff in colllpres;,;on). Lnstead of, or in addition to, a core of soft foam material, other soft cushioning r~ x can be used, e.g., gas or gel filled bladders. Likewise, layer 17 rnay be of the same mstç~i~l used to form the outsole 7 (incl~l-ling lugs 11), or a di~
rnaterial, e.g., Toughtek (a rubber coated elastic textile m~teri~l). As shown in Fig. 2, hyer :17 is a .~ e piece bonded with the outsole web. However, it will be und~,.~ood that l~lyer 17 may be formed integrally as part of a single piece outsole.
Pods 13 preferably extend dc,w"~ ly below lugs 11 such that, in use, a bottom surf~ce ofthe pods will make initial ground contact and partially CCilll~l~SS. The relative ess (stiffinPss in col"p~es;,;on) of pods 13 should be such that the co",pres;.;on serves to cushion the impact of ground engagement, and to increase the ground contact area (whereby traction is increased). The height difference between lugs 11 and pods 13 should be such as to allow the co",plession to bring a bottom surface of lugs 11 into ground contact after the initial ground contact. In general, a height dirrere~ll;al in the range of 2mm to 4mm is ~lerelled.
Lugs 11 should be sufficiently hard and tall as to prevent pods 13 from reachingthe lilmit oftheir useful co",pless;on, i.e., bottoming out. By limiting the col"pres~ion of the pods, lugs 11 prevent in.~tAbility and excessive wear of pods 13. The arrangement advantageouDl~ allows the use of soft materials which otherwise would wear out too quicldy to be practical. Lugs 11 should also be s -ffiriently thick and hard to serve as a reldlively rigid catch for i"~ular and soft ground s ~ ces In the above manner, the co"l~"lalion of pods 13 and lugs 11 provides i~tabililyand two ~1iC~ y diLr~,~,ll types of traction, similar to the hoo~ of the mollnt~in goat.
Pods 13 act like the soft pads of the mollnt~in goat hoof, providing traction on smooth rock ice and like sll~r~s To ~nh~nce traction in this respect, pods 13 may be provided with a rough t~ ulcd surface. In n~t~itirln the pliability of the pods allows surface irreg~ tiP-s to be al)so,l~d to thereby further ill.il~se traction and stability. On the other hand., hard lugs 11 act similar to the ~ Ai.~ goat's wrap-around toe nails, to catch and hold on cracks, knobs of rock and the like. To P.nh~nce this effect, one or more of pods 13 can be provided with a raised rim 19 of harder rubber, wrapped around the leading edge ofthe pod.
The particular shape, number and distribution of pods 13 and lugs 11can be varied. Each pod should be adjacent at least one hard lug, and pl~f~lably pairs of lugs 11 are a~Tanged to fiank the pod pairs on the medial and lateral sides. All,.ng~ of the pods in adj~cP,nt pairs is desirable in order to obtain the two point stability and traction char;lctP~ s provided by the V-shaped hoof of the . . .o. ..~l A;.~ goat, as ~iccllsse~ in the b~uu"d section he~ c. To maintain flexibility, the pods and lugs are preferably spaced such that natural flex lines fall b~ .,ol1 these plo ~n~ ~ While the fullest effect of the il1vention is achieved with pods and associated lugs provided in at least the forefoot and rearfoot regions, the pods and lugs can be limited to a single one or part of those regions.
Figs. 3-14 illustrate in detail a second trail shoe embodiment in acco,dance with the im~ention. Similar to the first embo~irn~nt shoe 21 co..~l..;.Q-es an upper 23, and a sole inchldin5~ a midsole 25 and an outsole 27. Midsole 25 and outsole 27 together form an interior region in~ i~ pairs (four) of relatively soft pods 29 surrounded by a pPrimp~tric S region inc1u~in~ a plurality of le~ vcly hard outsole lugs 31. Lugs 31 have a lower profile (are shallower) than lugs 11 of the first embodiment, thereby allowing a lighter weight construction well suited for trail lumfil~g and other activities, particulararly where c~-cmely rough and loose terrain (for which the deep lugs of the first embodiment are best suited) is not ~ntil~ir~tp~
It is seen inFigs. 3-7, 9 and 14 that outsole 27 has medial and lateral side portions 33, 3 'i which are conQ;~lPrably built-up in thickness as co...pd.cd to the rest of the outsole.
Such a construction stiffens the sole and provides increased stability on rough terrain.
The operational p ~ r'es ofthe inventive footwear will be clear from Figs. 4-7.
Fig. 4 shows shoe 21 at the instant of initial ground eng~mPnt (heel strike). The re~most two pairs of pods 29 have ~q:~,~1 the ground and have just begun to co--~r~s, attPm~l~tin~ impact forces and il~Cle,aslng the area of ground cont~ct In Fig. 5, the wearer's weight and "~.."~ ,. have been largely ll~lsrcl,ed to the heel of shoe 21 and, as a rlesult, the lr~ .r~l two pairs of pods have con p.cssed to the point that ~ cPnt lugs 31 (in the heel region) are brought into g~i~pillg ground cont~ct In Fig. 6, the foot has rotated to bring the ball ofthe foot down, thus initi~ting ground contact and co.-.pl~sion of pods 29 in the forefoot region. In Fig. 7, the two re~rmost forefoot pod pairs have partially cc.--.pre3sed to bring the adjacent lugs 31 into glii)phlB ground contact.
Figs. 8-14 illustrate more clearly how midsole 25 and outsole 27 are co..r~33,.~ed to come to~,~.tl..~" to form the c~.. .,ki,~l ;on of relalivel~ soPc pods 29 and hard lugs 31. In parti~lar, it will be noted that in this embodiment, the wear resistant layers coveling the pods are formed as cups 29', integral with single piece outsole 27. Midsole 25 of this embodiment comprises a main body 37 formed of a first resilient foam m~tP.ri~l Tndçlntatif ns 39 (see Fig. 1 land 12) correspond to the divisions in outsole 27 which dt~nal~le lugs 31. .Atts~çhed to main body 37 are separate pads 29" of a resilient foam mzltPlisll which will form the cores of pods 29. The mzlt~PliS.l of pads 29"could be the same as, or di~erelll than, the material of main body 37. Obviously, pads 29" and main body 37 could be formed integrally as a single piece.
Fig. 15 shows a third embodiment of the invention, in an orl/off road running shoe 41. Theco~ iollofshoe41 isc~r .l;allythesame asthe second embo~limpnt~ except that the thi~.~esses of the medial and lateral sides 42 of the outsole 43 are cut-back ~JI~,t,..l1;slly to the thir.~nP,ss of the outsole web. This results in a weight reduction and greal;er sole flP,Yihility~ making the shoe best suited for light terrain and hard s~lrfSIr,ç~
where extra stability, e.g., for negoli~lmg highly irregular surfaces, is not required.
RP.fP.rlin~ now to Figs. 16-25, a fourth embodiment of the invention is illustrated, wherein l~livt;ly soft outsole lugs are substituted for the soft pods of the previous ernboAimPntc~ to provide a degree of the aforementioned traction and stability benefits, with a more ccJlln - -' (less goat hoof-like) sole appe~ce. In particular, an outsole 45 has, like the previous emboAimpntc~ an outer pc~ ;c border region inr~-lAine a plurality of relatively hard lugs 47 serving to il~c.~3e traction by providing relatively rigid cPtches for hl~;ul&r and soft ground sllrfi~c~s. An interior region sul-ounded by the border region ;..r~d~s a plurality of ~elu~ively soft outsole lugs 49 which colll~ress more easily to enhance cushioning and to ~ l~ traction on smooth hard sl~ cP,s The height of re]iatively hard lugs 47 can v~y, as can the height of rcla~ ly soft lugs 49. P~ erc;l ably, a height A;~ell~;S)n (a) of all or some of lugs 49 ~-r~eAC a height AimP.n~ion (b) of l~i'r~ hard lugs 47, by about 1-2 mm, so that lugs 49 make initial ground contact and function, in conj~nlil;ol- with the hard lugs, similar to the pods of the pre~rious embodiments. For example, 1~ on (a), in~l~lAi~ an outsole web thickness of 1.5mm, may be 6.5mm, while A; .. ~n ~-n (b) may be 5.5mm, as shown in Fig. 20. As best seen in Figs. 17-19, the height (b') of some of the relatively hard lugs 47 can be increased to equal the A;.,.~ n (a) of lugs 49. The particular shapes and patterns of lugs 47 and 49 may be varied. Preferably, however, a pair of relatively hard lugs 47 will flank each of rely soft lugs 49. Additional traction may be provided by one or more small nubs 51 (e.g., with a height of .5mm) of hard rubber positioned on lugs 47 and 49. Secon~qry (smalller) lugs 53 may also be provided in one or both of the interior and perimetric border regions.
Wear res;s~ rubber outsole compounds, as are known in the art, may be used to folm outsole 45, incl~lding blends of natural rubber, NBR (nitrile) rubber andlor polybutyldiene rubber. For purposes of the present invention, the essentiq~l factor is a dil]it;lt;lltial ha~dness of lugs 47 and 49. In this respect, and as one FYqmple~ the mqtF~.rigl used for relatively hard lugs 47 may have a d~c"llelel rating (Shore A) in the range of 62-68, wl,~,as the mqtP.riql of ~ ,ly soft lugs 49 may have a durometer rating (Shore A) in the range of 48-54.
A fiPLh embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 29-32, wllt'lc'~ a shoe has a midsole/outsole construction inr.lllding lela~ ,ly soft pods and ~q~djal~nt rel~ively hard lugs integrally formed as ffrst and second portions of a co...l~ l;oll lug 53. Afirst portic~n 55 cr.. ~.. ;.~s a lelalivc:ly thin layer 56 of rubber outsole mqteriql covering a core 57 of soft resilient foam mqt~.nql, similar to the first three embo~lim~nt~. A second portion 59 compri~es a solid block of rubber outsole ".~t~.~ ;ql providing a harder lower profile protective edge. Second portion 59 serves the purpose of the hard lugs in the previous e.~ o~ In C~ . ;.~n, a solid block of rubber outsole mqteri~l forms thee.l1;1c~y of a collv~nl;ollql outsole lug 59, as shown in Figs. 26-28.
The traction and stability F-'~h~ effect of the present invention is illuvllalc'd by way of Figs. 28 and 32, which show, lev~,e~ rely, impact of cGll~ nsl lug 59 andcolll~"la~ion lug 53 with an irregular rocky surface 61. Note in Fig. 28 the low area of contact of conventional lug 59 with surface 61. On the other hand, note in Fig. 32 the greater area of contact bc~ween c~ l,;n~ion lug 53 and surface 61, revJl~ in greater traction and improved stability. In addition, the protc-.;l;ve edge provided by second portion 59 plc;vc;lll~ the soft pod of first portion 55 from being totally colllpr~,ssed (bo~ ll,ed-out) and from bending or flopping freely from side-to side. In the ~hsence of CA 02227l08 l998-0l-l6 second portion 59, the soft pod could, by virtue of such motion, create instability and wear c Aces;.;vel~, e.g., due to abrasion.
In accordance with a p~ ed embodiment of the invention, a plural'ity combination lugs 53 are provided on the sole, taking the p!ace of, or suppl~...o..-~;..".
~l~ve~lional solid rubber outsole lugs. It is also preferable to orient the co.nbillalion lugs such lthat the hard p~ ive edges extend l-~n~ihl-~inqlly along the medial and lateral sides of the sole.
l~P.f~rrin~ now to Figs. 33-38, a sixth embodiment ofthe invention is in the form of a sandal, particularly a water sandal 63 well suited for sandy and rocky beach tll~ ;. Sandal 63 CG~ qdjll~t~q*l- forefoot and rearfoot straps 65, 67 secured to a 1igl.l~.,igll~ sole 69. Sole 69 inclllde.s l~e the previous emboAimP,nts a cuchioni~
midsole 71 and an outsole 73 of wear l~;at~ll rubber or the like. Similar to the first three emboAim~.nt.s, and as best seen in Fig 34, the m;~ohP~outsole cGI.~hi~ ;o~ of sole 69 forms a ground PngrDgin~ surface inclllAing a perimetric border region and an interior regia,n ~W1OUI ded by the border region. FY~ g throughout the perimetric border region are a plurality of l~lali~ely hard outsole lugs 75 for op1;...i,;i~g traction on loose and i~ ~- r~s On the other hand, in place of the pairs of relalivel~ soft pods, as in the first three emboAimP-nts, the interior region of sole 69 inc1~ldes lel&li~ely soft tractiion e1o ..~ in the form of ,.,lali~ely large, soft generally planar m;1sole regions (which do not no~ss~ ;ly protrude) cc,vered with a relatively thiin layer of outsole m~teriDl As shown, the outsole mDteriDl may iinclude shallow ridges 77 or the like.
In the interior forefoot area, relabive son ..ess is proviided by a foam mi~so'~ insert 79 which is softer than the m~tP.risl used for the r~m~inAer of the midsole. On the other hand, in the interior heel area, relative soll~esc may be oblained by ~n~spslllDti~ or O~ .~ fitting a low ~CS~ e fluid, e.g., gs~s, bladder 81 in the midsole mDt~riDI The relative son ness of the interior traction e~ , .I s or regions allows the regions to absorb surfs~ce irre~ D-rities similar to the relatively soft pods and lugs of the previous embo~limf~nt~
As illu~haled by the l h~ lo... ilines in Figs. 35-37 mi~sole insert 79 may protrude below lugs 77 cl~lillg a relalively soft traction elem~nts similar to (but larger than) the soft pods of the first three embo-liment~ v~hel~y the previously mentioned ~d-~itit n~1 adv~l~ges of mal~ng first contact with the softer rle. ~ -~1~1 S may be obtained. In this case outsoile 73 would be modified to include a col,esponding shallow cup for receivi,lg the protruding part of the insert.
The present invention has been described in terms of p-~relled and ç~ p1~y emb~1i-n~ont~ thereo~ Other embc~ modifications and v~n~tion~ within the scope and spirit of the appended daims will occur to p sons of oldina~ sikill in the art from a l 0 revie~v of this disclosure.
MOUNTAIN GOAT TRACTION ELEMENTS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to footwear, and in particular athletic and recre.~tio~AI footwear, e.g., running shoes, hiking shoes and s~qn-l~l.c, used in con-lition.c in whlich a variety of ground s ~rf~Aces are typically encountered.
Modern athletic and recreAtionAl shoes typic.lly comprise a h~ighly refined cGll~,i,l&lion of elements configured with the goal of optimally bAlAnring in light of the sport or activity for which the shoe is dçQi~e~l the often competing concerns ofcushioning, stability, durability and traction. The modern athletic or recrentionAI shoe or~in~ily has a multi-layer sole construction colllplised of an outsole, a mirlsole and an insole. The outsole is normally formed of a durable material such as rubber to resist WWlill~, of the sole during use. In many cases, the outsole inr.l~1des lugs, cleats or other e~ ; to PnhAn~e traction. The mitlQole ordinarily forms the middle layer of the sole and is typically composed of a soft foam mAteriAl e.g., foamed polyuielllane or EVA, to cushion the impact forces e ~ ~ by the foot during athletic or recreationAI activities.
In order to further enhAnce c~lQhionin~ and reduce weight, it is known to incorporate Wi~il1 the midsole special c~lchionin~ Çl~ "~ , such as resilient fluid bladders, as taught inU.S. Patents Nos. 4,183,156; 4,219,945; 4,340,626 to Rudy and 4,813,302 to Parker et al.
Recently, interest has grown conciAerably in lightweight athletic and recrçAtionAI
shoes specially confi~)red for outdoor use. Lightweight mAteriAIc and constructions developed for athletic shoes used primarily on level planar s ~rfAces, e.g., running, bqQl~f~,tbq-ll bAcebAII and tennis, have made their way into the hiking arena, rep~ n~ the traditional bulky, heavy and stiffleather hiking boot. This evolution, and the consequent avail,~bility of lightweight trail shoes, e.g., the NIKE Mada and Terra trail shoes, has spurred the growth of trail running as a sporting event and form of conditioning. The same te~hn~ l~ gies have been utilized to provide improved s~n~ , e.g., the NrKE Terra and :Deschutz sqn~l~lc for use in wet and/or dry outdoor conditions, e.g., beachenvironm~ntc In hiking, trail running, beach combing and other outdoor activities, a variety of ground con-litiol-.C are likely to be encountered, vis, surfaces which are loose and firm, smooth and irregular, soft and hard, wet and dry, and in.-linçd and level.
A~letic and recreational shoes of known types are not ideally suited for the wide variety of ground conditions that may be encountered in the aforem~ntioned outdoor activhies. Rather, to a ~;~.;fi~r~ 11 degree, s~itability for one type of ground con~ition has been achieved at the P~ ~ of ~ t~-h;1 Iy for other conditions. In particular, the soles of known athletic shoes generally do not provide an oplin~2ed balance of cusl.iol-in~
stability and traction for diverse ground conditions. On one hand, a pattern of relatively deep, h~rd (stifl~ outsole lugs, e.g., as provided in known hiking boots and trail shoes, is ~ lc to provide traction on soft, loose and/or irregular s -~ces but can result in less than ildeal traction on smoother firmer s -~ces On the other hand, traction is rnhiA~nced on smlooth and firm ground ~ fi~ ~s by softer sole el~mr-nt.~ which co"lprejs to ~crea3e the area of contact b~t~,n the ground surface and the sole. Additionally, softer sole ~ r ..r,11~ can afford greater stability and comfort due to their increased shock abso~ g capabil~ties and ability to co,~llll to small surface irre.~ ritir-c, e.g., small rocks. But, such relalively soft ~le..r~ls generally lack the aforementioned desirable traction cha~ cti--is of hard lugs.
The e~iveness of a ~IO...~ goat's hoof in providing that animal with sure foo~r~ on diverse and c.~lrelllc ground conditions hac been recognized. A~c described in the book entitled Beasf the Color of Winter, the Mountain Goat Observed, by Dougla.
H Chadwick Sierra Club pub. (1983), "[t]he sides of a mountain goat's toes consist of the same hard keratin found on the hoof of a horse or deer. Each of the two wrap around toenails can be used to catch and hold to a crack or tiny knob of rock. ... The ...o....1i.;..
goat is shod with a special traction pad which protrudes slightly past the nail. This pad has a rough teAluled surfa.,e that provides a considerable amount of extra friction on smooth rock and ice. Yet it is pliant enough for any irregularities in a stone sul~stlale to becollle illlplessed in it and thereby add to the skidproofing effect."
The V-shape ofthe mollnt~in goat's hoofhas ~dditiQn~l benefits that are illustrated by the following further description provided in the aror~ ned book: "Make a wide V with your index and middle fingers and try pressing down against sol~-e~ p. with their tips. 'iince walking on an artiodactyl hoof is analol~ically similar to walking on the tips of two fingers, the mountain goat feels the muscles and tendons working against each other solllcwl~L the way you do. It adjusts the tensions accordingly in order to fine-tune its grip on uneven s -~c~,s . . . Now you will find that the more weight you put on your L~gcllips, the more they want to diverge sideways. In like fashion the mountain goat's toes &ivide the duwllwal-i force of the weight on a hoof. When your fingers, or the toes ofthe hoof, are placed on an incline surface, part ofthe weight continl~es to be directed ~;d~ a ho- ;~J,~ vector offorce as distinct from the vertical vector. There is thus less net force being exerted in a single dowllw~d line; hence there is less likelihood of o~c;l~)ll~ing the force offriction along that line and begi~ g to slide.... What is going on here is a fanning out of forces. If all the dowllwdld force could be COIl~t;l led into sideways forces, it would in effect be ~nt~led out.. The third and ffnal d;.. ~ )n iS
simpler to explain. So}id rock talus, &irt or snow can become wedged in the crotch of the V and act as an a~t~itif rl~l brake."
To a limited degree, r~lul~,s from animal anatomiies have been adapted for ~I~)ol~tiol into shoe sole designs. M~ w et al. U.S. Patent No. 4,769,931 ~ osesa cleated sole for footwear. The cleats are shaped and ~ ged in pairs to cim~ te animal hooves, ~lill~ily for the purpose of 1eSCFn;I~ noise and increasing traction for hunters.
A~l~li,~, to Morrow et al., a mil-;...;~a1;nn of noise is achieved by limiting wearer contact with l;he ground. An ~bs~nr,e of relatively soft (ground contact increasing) traction elc~ , precludes the possibility of obtnil~g benefits in traction (as ~ in~d above) of the type ~ .ed by the mountain goat's soft hoof pads.
In contrast to the Morrow et al. patent, Gross et al. U.S. Patent No. 5,367,791 di.ccloses an athletic shoe sole construction wherein an insert is provided with relatively soft "tips." According to the patent, the tips are strategically located to absorb shock add stability and reduce pronAtion The tips do not appear configured to siml-late an anillLl hoofin any way. Moreover, an absence of relatively hard traction elemPntc e.g., lugs, associated with the soft tips precludes benefits in traction similar to those that the moun.tain goat's toenails provide.
SUMl~ARY OF T~IE INVENTION
In view ofthe ~l~Oillg, it is a r~ Al object of the present invention to provideroo~ ar which is ideally suited for outdoor activities in which a wide variety of ground con~ition.c are l~ely to be P~ ed.
It is a more specific object of the invention to provide a sole confi~-ration for foot~rear which ~~ ~C traction and stability over a wide range of ground con-1ition-c It is a further object of the invention to provide a sole configuration for footwear inA~ in~ soft traction ei~-mpntc which are not prone to eAcess;v-e wear.
These and other objects are largely achieved by the present invention which, in a first a~Cpect, is embodied in footwear co..~ an upper and a cushioning sole attAched to the upper. The sole hac a ground eng~n surface in~ i~ a group of one or more ly soft co~ traction pl . .*-d ~ and a group of one or more rcla~i~ely hard lugs, stiffer in coll~~ than the traction rl~ , adjacpnt the group of traction elPm~ntc The traction el~.. lc extend dovvllw~dly below the lugs such that, in use, a bottom surface ofthe traction r,l~.. l~ will make in~itial ground contact and partially cGml)less.
The ~ lP1eDD;On c~chionc impact of ground engag~m~nt and increases ground cont ~t and is such that a bottom surface of said lugs is brought into ground contact after the initial ground cQnt~ct The lugs limit colllple.,~;ol1 ofthe traction elements and serve as a rel~ ely rigid catch for ill~ular and soft ground surfaces.
~ a second aspect, the footwear ofthe present invention comprises an upper and a cushioning sole attaçhPd to said upper. The sole has a ground Pn ~ng surface in5~hl~in~ an outer pelilnellic border region and an interior region surrounded by the border region. The interior region collllllises a group of one or more relatively soft co...pli~ d traction cl~ The border region comprises a pair of relatively hard lugs, stiffer in cG,l-pless;on than the traction Pl~mPnt~, a~j~cPn~ the group of traction Pl~nnP.ntc, at medial and lateral sides thereo~
The above and other objects, realu,es and advantages of the invention will be readily appa~ and fully understood from the following detailed descliplion of p~ ,led emba,d;.. ~ , taken in connection with the appended drawings.
m~n~,F D~ Tl'TION OF 1~, l~ WINGS
Figure 1 is a simplified p~;lDpe~,live view illustrating a lightweight trail shoe with a sole incl~ding traction ~I~m~ntc in a~oldance with the present invention.
Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 in Fig. 1.
Figure 3 is a p~lvye~ive view illuDllalil1g a sole co~struction of a second light~veight trail shoe embodirnent of the invention. .
Figures 4-7 are lateral side elevation views of the shoe shown in Fig, 3, seq~lenti~lly illustrating di~elelll stages of ground Pn~PmPnt, and ~sor~ted co,~leDD;on of the sole.
Figure 8 is a bottom plan view ofthe outsole ofthe shoe shown in Fig. 3.
Figure 9 is a lateral side elevation view of the outsole shown in Fig. 8.
Figure 10 is a longih~1in~1 cross-sectiQn~l view taken on line 10-10 in Fig. 8.
Figure 11 is a bottom plan view of a midsole of the shoe shown in Fig. 3.
Figure 12 is a lateral side elevation view of the m:1sole shown in Fig. 11.
Figure 13 is a longih~ in~l cross se~lional view taken on line 13-13 in Fig. 11.Figure 14 is a ll~L.~, ~ cross ~ n~l view of an ~c~.-..hly ofthe outsole of Fig.8 and the ~'-ole of Fig. 11, taken on lines 14-14 in Figs. 8 and 11.
Figure 15 is a pel ~yc~ e view illustrating a sole construction of a third lighter weight trail shoe embodiment of the invention.
25Figure 16 is a boKom plan view of an outsole of a shoe l.,presP...... I;~ a fourth embodiment of the invention.
Figure 17 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken on line 17-17 in Fig. 16.
Figure 18 is a transverse cross-sectional view taken on line 18-18 in Fig. 16.
Figure 19 is a l~.s~e.~e cross-sectional view taken on line 19-19 in Fig. 16.
Figure 20 is a transverse cross-sectio~l view taken on line 20-20 in Fig. 16.
Figure 21 is a medial side elevation view of the outsole shown in Fig. 16.
Figure 22 is a lone1t~-linAI cross-sectional view taken on line 22-22 in Fig. 16.
Figure 23 is a cross-sectiQn~l view taken on line 23-23 in Fig. 16.
Figure 24 is a cross-sectionAl view taken on line 24-24 in Fig. 16.
Figure 25 is a cross-section~l view taken on line 25-25 in Fig. 16.
Figure 26 is a top plan view of a prior art outsole lug.
Figure 27 is a side elevation view of the prior art lug shown in Fig. 26.
Figure 28 is a side elevational view ofthe lug shown in Fig 26, upon impact witha roc;k.
Figure 29 is a top plan view of a cG...hin;~l;on lug in accordallce with a f~h embo~limP-nt of the invention.
Figure 30 is a side elevation view of the lug shown in Fig. 29.
Figure 31 is a cross-sec!ti~ nAI view taken on line 31-31 in Fig. 29.
Figure 32 is a aoss se~,l;ol-sl view like Fig 31, showing impact of the lug with a rock.
Figure 33 is a side elevation view of a sandal rep.esf~ -e a sixth embodiment ofthe i,.~ ion.
Figure 34 is a bottom plan view of the sole (only outsole visible) of the sandalshovminFig. 33.
Figure 35 is a medial side view of the outsole showm in Fig. 34.
Figure 36 is a lateral side view of the outsole showm in Fig. 34.
Figure 37 is a lon~it l.1ingl cross-sectional view of the midsole of the sole shown in Fig.34, taken on line 37-37 in Fig. 34.
Figure 38 is a longi~ n-sl cross-sectional view of the outsole showm in Fig. 34,taken on line 37-37 in Fig. 34.
I)ET.Al~,~.n DESCRIPTION OF T~E PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring first to Fig. 1, a lightweight trail shoe 1 according to the present invention comprises an upper 3 of known construction and a sole 5 attached to upper 3.
Sole 5 co~ ;~ an outsole 7 of wear les;sl~ll material, e.g., rubber, and a midsole 9 of light~eight cushioning material, e.g., foamed polyurethane or EVA. Midsole 9 andoutso]le 7 together form a ground eng~ng surface having two groups of traction c~ In a perimetric border region of the sole are a plurality of relatively deep lugs 11 formed ofthe relatively hard rubber outsole material. Lugs 11 plerel~bly extend along the entire lengths of each ofthe medial and lateral sides, and may also wrap contin-lously around the heel region of the sole. An interior region of the sole in~ des a plurality of pairs of l.,lalively soft and compli~nt protruding pods 13.
As best seen in Fig. 2, pods 13 cor..l.. ;~e a core of relatively soft resilient foam material 15 cc~vered with a relatively thin layer 17 of wear les;s~ msteri~l 17. Foam material 15 may be the same m~t~ri~l that is used for rnidsole 9, e.g., Phylon (a foamed EVA). Preferably, m~tçri~l 15 is a dilrerelll m~teri~l which is scillle~.lldl softer (less stiff in colllpres;,;on). Lnstead of, or in addition to, a core of soft foam material, other soft cushioning r~ x can be used, e.g., gas or gel filled bladders. Likewise, layer 17 rnay be of the same mstç~i~l used to form the outsole 7 (incl~l-ling lugs 11), or a di~
rnaterial, e.g., Toughtek (a rubber coated elastic textile m~teri~l). As shown in Fig. 2, hyer :17 is a .~ e piece bonded with the outsole web. However, it will be und~,.~ood that l~lyer 17 may be formed integrally as part of a single piece outsole.
Pods 13 preferably extend dc,w"~ ly below lugs 11 such that, in use, a bottom surf~ce ofthe pods will make initial ground contact and partially CCilll~l~SS. The relative ess (stiffinPss in col"p~es;,;on) of pods 13 should be such that the co",pres;.;on serves to cushion the impact of ground engagement, and to increase the ground contact area (whereby traction is increased). The height difference between lugs 11 and pods 13 should be such as to allow the co",plession to bring a bottom surface of lugs 11 into ground contact after the initial ground contact. In general, a height dirrere~ll;al in the range of 2mm to 4mm is ~lerelled.
Lugs 11 should be sufficiently hard and tall as to prevent pods 13 from reachingthe lilmit oftheir useful co",pless;on, i.e., bottoming out. By limiting the col"pres~ion of the pods, lugs 11 prevent in.~tAbility and excessive wear of pods 13. The arrangement advantageouDl~ allows the use of soft materials which otherwise would wear out too quicldy to be practical. Lugs 11 should also be s -ffiriently thick and hard to serve as a reldlively rigid catch for i"~ular and soft ground s ~ ces In the above manner, the co"l~"lalion of pods 13 and lugs 11 provides i~tabililyand two ~1iC~ y diLr~,~,ll types of traction, similar to the hoo~ of the mollnt~in goat.
Pods 13 act like the soft pads of the mollnt~in goat hoof, providing traction on smooth rock ice and like sll~r~s To ~nh~nce traction in this respect, pods 13 may be provided with a rough t~ ulcd surface. In n~t~itirln the pliability of the pods allows surface irreg~ tiP-s to be al)so,l~d to thereby further ill.il~se traction and stability. On the other hand., hard lugs 11 act similar to the ~ Ai.~ goat's wrap-around toe nails, to catch and hold on cracks, knobs of rock and the like. To P.nh~nce this effect, one or more of pods 13 can be provided with a raised rim 19 of harder rubber, wrapped around the leading edge ofthe pod.
The particular shape, number and distribution of pods 13 and lugs 11can be varied. Each pod should be adjacent at least one hard lug, and pl~f~lably pairs of lugs 11 are a~Tanged to fiank the pod pairs on the medial and lateral sides. All,.ng~ of the pods in adj~cP,nt pairs is desirable in order to obtain the two point stability and traction char;lctP~ s provided by the V-shaped hoof of the . . .o. ..~l A;.~ goat, as ~iccllsse~ in the b~uu"d section he~ c. To maintain flexibility, the pods and lugs are preferably spaced such that natural flex lines fall b~ .,ol1 these plo ~n~ ~ While the fullest effect of the il1vention is achieved with pods and associated lugs provided in at least the forefoot and rearfoot regions, the pods and lugs can be limited to a single one or part of those regions.
Figs. 3-14 illustrate in detail a second trail shoe embodiment in acco,dance with the im~ention. Similar to the first embo~irn~nt shoe 21 co..~l..;.Q-es an upper 23, and a sole inchldin5~ a midsole 25 and an outsole 27. Midsole 25 and outsole 27 together form an interior region in~ i~ pairs (four) of relatively soft pods 29 surrounded by a pPrimp~tric S region inc1u~in~ a plurality of le~ vcly hard outsole lugs 31. Lugs 31 have a lower profile (are shallower) than lugs 11 of the first embodiment, thereby allowing a lighter weight construction well suited for trail lumfil~g and other activities, particulararly where c~-cmely rough and loose terrain (for which the deep lugs of the first embodiment are best suited) is not ~ntil~ir~tp~
It is seen inFigs. 3-7, 9 and 14 that outsole 27 has medial and lateral side portions 33, 3 'i which are conQ;~lPrably built-up in thickness as co...pd.cd to the rest of the outsole.
Such a construction stiffens the sole and provides increased stability on rough terrain.
The operational p ~ r'es ofthe inventive footwear will be clear from Figs. 4-7.
Fig. 4 shows shoe 21 at the instant of initial ground eng~mPnt (heel strike). The re~most two pairs of pods 29 have ~q:~,~1 the ground and have just begun to co--~r~s, attPm~l~tin~ impact forces and il~Cle,aslng the area of ground cont~ct In Fig. 5, the wearer's weight and "~.."~ ,. have been largely ll~lsrcl,ed to the heel of shoe 21 and, as a rlesult, the lr~ .r~l two pairs of pods have con p.cssed to the point that ~ cPnt lugs 31 (in the heel region) are brought into g~i~pillg ground cont~ct In Fig. 6, the foot has rotated to bring the ball ofthe foot down, thus initi~ting ground contact and co.-.pl~sion of pods 29 in the forefoot region. In Fig. 7, the two re~rmost forefoot pod pairs have partially cc.--.pre3sed to bring the adjacent lugs 31 into glii)phlB ground contact.
Figs. 8-14 illustrate more clearly how midsole 25 and outsole 27 are co..r~33,.~ed to come to~,~.tl..~" to form the c~.. .,ki,~l ;on of relalivel~ soPc pods 29 and hard lugs 31. In parti~lar, it will be noted that in this embodiment, the wear resistant layers coveling the pods are formed as cups 29', integral with single piece outsole 27. Midsole 25 of this embodiment comprises a main body 37 formed of a first resilient foam m~tP.ri~l Tndçlntatif ns 39 (see Fig. 1 land 12) correspond to the divisions in outsole 27 which dt~nal~le lugs 31. .Atts~çhed to main body 37 are separate pads 29" of a resilient foam mzltPlisll which will form the cores of pods 29. The mzlt~PliS.l of pads 29"could be the same as, or di~erelll than, the material of main body 37. Obviously, pads 29" and main body 37 could be formed integrally as a single piece.
Fig. 15 shows a third embodiment of the invention, in an orl/off road running shoe 41. Theco~ iollofshoe41 isc~r .l;allythesame asthe second embo~limpnt~ except that the thi~.~esses of the medial and lateral sides 42 of the outsole 43 are cut-back ~JI~,t,..l1;slly to the thir.~nP,ss of the outsole web. This results in a weight reduction and greal;er sole flP,Yihility~ making the shoe best suited for light terrain and hard s~lrfSIr,ç~
where extra stability, e.g., for negoli~lmg highly irregular surfaces, is not required.
RP.fP.rlin~ now to Figs. 16-25, a fourth embodiment of the invention is illustrated, wherein l~livt;ly soft outsole lugs are substituted for the soft pods of the previous ernboAimPntc~ to provide a degree of the aforementioned traction and stability benefits, with a more ccJlln - -' (less goat hoof-like) sole appe~ce. In particular, an outsole 45 has, like the previous emboAimpntc~ an outer pc~ ;c border region inr~-lAine a plurality of relatively hard lugs 47 serving to il~c.~3e traction by providing relatively rigid cPtches for hl~;ul&r and soft ground sllrfi~c~s. An interior region sul-ounded by the border region ;..r~d~s a plurality of ~elu~ively soft outsole lugs 49 which colll~ress more easily to enhance cushioning and to ~ l~ traction on smooth hard sl~ cP,s The height of re]iatively hard lugs 47 can v~y, as can the height of rcla~ ly soft lugs 49. P~ erc;l ably, a height A;~ell~;S)n (a) of all or some of lugs 49 ~-r~eAC a height AimP.n~ion (b) of l~i'r~ hard lugs 47, by about 1-2 mm, so that lugs 49 make initial ground contact and function, in conj~nlil;ol- with the hard lugs, similar to the pods of the pre~rious embodiments. For example, 1~ on (a), in~l~lAi~ an outsole web thickness of 1.5mm, may be 6.5mm, while A; .. ~n ~-n (b) may be 5.5mm, as shown in Fig. 20. As best seen in Figs. 17-19, the height (b') of some of the relatively hard lugs 47 can be increased to equal the A;.,.~ n (a) of lugs 49. The particular shapes and patterns of lugs 47 and 49 may be varied. Preferably, however, a pair of relatively hard lugs 47 will flank each of rely soft lugs 49. Additional traction may be provided by one or more small nubs 51 (e.g., with a height of .5mm) of hard rubber positioned on lugs 47 and 49. Secon~qry (smalller) lugs 53 may also be provided in one or both of the interior and perimetric border regions.
Wear res;s~ rubber outsole compounds, as are known in the art, may be used to folm outsole 45, incl~lding blends of natural rubber, NBR (nitrile) rubber andlor polybutyldiene rubber. For purposes of the present invention, the essentiq~l factor is a dil]it;lt;lltial ha~dness of lugs 47 and 49. In this respect, and as one FYqmple~ the mqtF~.rigl used for relatively hard lugs 47 may have a d~c"llelel rating (Shore A) in the range of 62-68, wl,~,as the mqtP.riql of ~ ,ly soft lugs 49 may have a durometer rating (Shore A) in the range of 48-54.
A fiPLh embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 29-32, wllt'lc'~ a shoe has a midsole/outsole construction inr.lllding lela~ ,ly soft pods and ~q~djal~nt rel~ively hard lugs integrally formed as ffrst and second portions of a co...l~ l;oll lug 53. Afirst portic~n 55 cr.. ~.. ;.~s a lelalivc:ly thin layer 56 of rubber outsole mqteriql covering a core 57 of soft resilient foam mqt~.nql, similar to the first three embo~lim~nt~. A second portion 59 compri~es a solid block of rubber outsole ".~t~.~ ;ql providing a harder lower profile protective edge. Second portion 59 serves the purpose of the hard lugs in the previous e.~ o~ In C~ . ;.~n, a solid block of rubber outsole mqteri~l forms thee.l1;1c~y of a collv~nl;ollql outsole lug 59, as shown in Figs. 26-28.
The traction and stability F-'~h~ effect of the present invention is illuvllalc'd by way of Figs. 28 and 32, which show, lev~,e~ rely, impact of cGll~ nsl lug 59 andcolll~"la~ion lug 53 with an irregular rocky surface 61. Note in Fig. 28 the low area of contact of conventional lug 59 with surface 61. On the other hand, note in Fig. 32 the greater area of contact bc~ween c~ l,;n~ion lug 53 and surface 61, revJl~ in greater traction and improved stability. In addition, the protc-.;l;ve edge provided by second portion 59 plc;vc;lll~ the soft pod of first portion 55 from being totally colllpr~,ssed (bo~ ll,ed-out) and from bending or flopping freely from side-to side. In the ~hsence of CA 02227l08 l998-0l-l6 second portion 59, the soft pod could, by virtue of such motion, create instability and wear c Aces;.;vel~, e.g., due to abrasion.
In accordance with a p~ ed embodiment of the invention, a plural'ity combination lugs 53 are provided on the sole, taking the p!ace of, or suppl~...o..-~;..".
~l~ve~lional solid rubber outsole lugs. It is also preferable to orient the co.nbillalion lugs such lthat the hard p~ ive edges extend l-~n~ihl-~inqlly along the medial and lateral sides of the sole.
l~P.f~rrin~ now to Figs. 33-38, a sixth embodiment ofthe invention is in the form of a sandal, particularly a water sandal 63 well suited for sandy and rocky beach tll~ ;. Sandal 63 CG~ qdjll~t~q*l- forefoot and rearfoot straps 65, 67 secured to a 1igl.l~.,igll~ sole 69. Sole 69 inclllde.s l~e the previous emboAimP,nts a cuchioni~
midsole 71 and an outsole 73 of wear l~;at~ll rubber or the like. Similar to the first three emboAim~.nt.s, and as best seen in Fig 34, the m;~ohP~outsole cGI.~hi~ ;o~ of sole 69 forms a ground PngrDgin~ surface inclllAing a perimetric border region and an interior regia,n ~W1OUI ded by the border region. FY~ g throughout the perimetric border region are a plurality of l~lali~ely hard outsole lugs 75 for op1;...i,;i~g traction on loose and i~ ~- r~s On the other hand, in place of the pairs of relalivel~ soft pods, as in the first three emboAimP-nts, the interior region of sole 69 inc1~ldes lel&li~ely soft tractiion e1o ..~ in the form of ,.,lali~ely large, soft generally planar m;1sole regions (which do not no~ss~ ;ly protrude) cc,vered with a relatively thiin layer of outsole m~teriDl As shown, the outsole mDteriDl may iinclude shallow ridges 77 or the like.
In the interior forefoot area, relabive son ..ess is proviided by a foam mi~so'~ insert 79 which is softer than the m~tP.risl used for the r~m~inAer of the midsole. On the other hand, in the interior heel area, relative soll~esc may be oblained by ~n~spslllDti~ or O~ .~ fitting a low ~CS~ e fluid, e.g., gs~s, bladder 81 in the midsole mDt~riDI The relative son ness of the interior traction e~ , .I s or regions allows the regions to absorb surfs~ce irre~ D-rities similar to the relatively soft pods and lugs of the previous embo~limf~nt~
As illu~haled by the l h~ lo... ilines in Figs. 35-37 mi~sole insert 79 may protrude below lugs 77 cl~lillg a relalively soft traction elem~nts similar to (but larger than) the soft pods of the first three embo-liment~ v~hel~y the previously mentioned ~d-~itit n~1 adv~l~ges of mal~ng first contact with the softer rle. ~ -~1~1 S may be obtained. In this case outsoile 73 would be modified to include a col,esponding shallow cup for receivi,lg the protruding part of the insert.
The present invention has been described in terms of p-~relled and ç~ p1~y emb~1i-n~ont~ thereo~ Other embc~ modifications and v~n~tion~ within the scope and spirit of the appended daims will occur to p sons of oldina~ sikill in the art from a l 0 revie~v of this disclosure.
Claims (16)
1. Footwear comprising an upper and a cushioning sole attached to said upper, said sole having a ground engaging surface including a group of one or more relatively soft compliant traction elements and a group of one or more relatively hard lugs, stiffer in compression than said traction elements, adjacent said group of traction elements, said traction elements extending downwardly below said lugs such that, in use, a bottom surface of said traction elements will make initial ground contact and partially compress to cushion impact of ground engagement and increase ground contact, and such that a bottom surface of said lugs is brought into ground contact after said initial ground contact, wherein said lugs limit compression of said traction elements and serve as a relatively rigid catch for irregular and soft ground surfaces.
2. Footwear according to claim 1, wherein said ground engaging surface comprises an outer perimetric border region and an interior region surrounded by said border region, said group of relatively soft traction elements being located within said interior region, said group of relatively hard lugs being located within said border region.
3. Footwear according to claim 2, wherein said lugs are formed as solid rubber outsole lugs and said relatively soft traction elements are formed as pods including a cushioning element covered with a relatively thin layer of wear resistant material.
4. Footwear according to claim 3, wherein said cushioning elements comprises a core of relatively soft resilient foam material.
5. Footwear according to claim 3, wherein said pods are arranged in adjacent pairs.
6. Footwear according to claim 2, wherein said group of one or more tractions elements comprises a plurality of said traction elements, and said group of one or more lugs comprises a plurality of said lugs.
7. Footwear according to claim 6, wherein said plurality of traction elements are formed as relatively soft rubber outsole lugs, and said plurality of lugs are formed as relatively hard rubber outsole lugs.
8. Footwear according to claim 1, wherein said group of traction elements comprises a plurality of said traction elements, each said traction element being located adjacent a corresponding said lug.
9. Footwear according to claim 8, wherein each traction element and corresponding adjacent lug are integrally formed, respectively, as first and second portions of a single lug, said first portion including a cushioning element covered with a relatively thin layer of wear resistant material, said second portion comprising a solid block of rubber outsole material.
10. Footwear according to claim 9, wherein said cushioning element comprises a core of relatively soft resilient foam material.
11. Footwear comprising an upper and a cushioning sole attached to said upper, said sole having a ground engaging surface including an outer perimetric border region and an interior region surrounded by said border region, said interior region comprising a group of one or more relatively soft compliant traction elements, said border region comprising a pair of relatively hard lugs, stiffer in compression than said traction elements, adjacent said group of traction elements, at medial and lateral sides thereof
12. Footwear according to claim 11, wherein said traction elements extend downwardly below said lugs such that, in use, a bottom surface of said first traction elements will make initial ground contact and partially compress to cushion impact of ground engagement and increase ground contact, and such that a bottom surface of said lugs are brought into ground contact after said initial ground contact, wherein said lugs limit compression of said traction elements and serve as a relatively rigid catch for irregular and soft ground surfaces.
13. Footwear according to claim 11, wherein said group of traction elements comprises a cushioning element covered with a relatively thin layer of rubber outsole material, and each said lug is formed as a rubber outsole lug.
14. Footwear according to claim 13, wherein said cushioning element comprises a core of relatively soft resilient foam material.
15. Footwear according to claim 13, wherein said cushioning element comprises a relatively large, soft generally planar midsole region of a sandal.
16
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US08/785,666 | 1997-01-17 | ||
| US08/785,666 US5926974A (en) | 1997-01-17 | 1997-01-17 | Footwear with mountain goat traction elements |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2227108A1 true CA2227108A1 (en) | 1998-07-17 |
Family
ID=25136246
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002227108A Abandoned CA2227108A1 (en) | 1997-01-17 | 1998-01-16 | Footwear with mountain goat traction elements |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (3) | US5926974A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0853896A3 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2227108A1 (en) |
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Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP2958450A4 (en) * | 2013-02-22 | 2016-03-16 | Kenney Sport Llc | Shoe sole simulating a hoof |
| CN104994760B (en) * | 2013-02-22 | 2017-03-29 | 肯尼运动有限公司 | Sole for shoes and trample face |
| US9687043B2 (en) | 2013-02-22 | 2017-06-27 | Kenney Sport, Llc. | Shoe sole simulating a hoof |
| CN111109761A (en) * | 2018-10-31 | 2020-05-08 | 渥弗林户外用品公司 | Footwear with positive gripping outsole |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0853896A3 (en) | 1999-02-10 |
| US6018889A (en) | 2000-02-01 |
| US5926974A (en) | 1999-07-27 |
| US6226896B1 (en) | 2001-05-08 |
| EP0853896A2 (en) | 1998-07-22 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |