EP0558541B1 - Shoe sole, in particular a sports-shoe sole - Google Patents

Abstract

Described is a sole for sports shoes (2) in particular, the sole having a multiplicity of individual flexurally elastic support elements (21) disposed at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shoe at intervals one behind the other along the longitudinal axis. The support-element edges nearest the foot are joined to a cover plate (20) and the edges nearest the ground to an external wear layer (22). Each support element (21) consist of a compact box-girder structure with top chord running at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, a bottom chord parallel to the top chord, two lateral supporting walls joining the ends of these two chords, and stays bracing the top chord against the bottom chord.

Description

The invention relates to a shoe bottom, in particular for sports shoes, with the features according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

The realization that, in particular for the exercise of certain sports, the design of certain shoes has to be adapted to biomechanical conditions has become established. This applies in particular to the design of the shoe bottom, on and with which the foot's rolling process takes place compared to the running track and which has the task of reducing and distributing the sometimes considerable impact forces in order to avoid health problems and, on the other hand, adequately closing the foot stabilize and guide during the rolling process so that the user maintains the feeling for the track (rail contact). For this purpose, numerous suggestions for the formation of outsoles have been made in recent years, some of which have been put into practice, with the aim of minimizing the natural movement behavior of the foot as desired during the rolling process, but nevertheless influencing it that the best possible power transmission is achieved during the run. Suggestions go in that direction to choose different elasticity in the individual sole sections in order to achieve extensive cushioning in areas subject to high physical stress, to inhibit pronation or supination that is too extensive and to take into account changes in the shape of the foot itself during the rolling process.

In all known shoe bottoms developed for this purpose, flat sole parts made of resilient material are used, the compressive deformability of the material being used essentially to control the properties mentioned. This means that the compressive deformability of outsoles and, if applicable, midsoles is influenced by local recesses, inserts, denser or less dense consistency of the sole material, etc. However, all of these proposals, which take advantage of the compressive deformability of essentially flat soles or sole parts for cushioning, supporting and guiding, come up against a limit in the compatibility of the different requirements. This is due to the fact that a sufficient reduction in the foot forces, which are particularly high when running fast on hard tracks, can only be achieved by means of a relatively long deformation path, ie with soft sole material. A long deformation path requires a relatively thick outsole, however, through which the runner loses the desired track contact feeling and, above all, undergoes not only compressive deformations directed vertically to the track, but also to the side, i.e. deformations parallel to the track, and thereby a feeling of swimming generated. In order to avoid this and to keep the weight of the outsole low, a compromise is therefore always made which amounts to a reduction in the damping capacity. In practice, with a reasonably justifiable manufacturing effort and the resulting price, it has only been possible in the beginning to achieve the compressive deformability of mass-produced products through the above-mentioned measures Adapt outsoles to the foot requirements. Disadvantages must always be accepted, which are based on the fact that durability increases with pressure deformability intensified by recesses, the sole weight increases with harder inserts that reduce pressure deformability, and different material consistency in the individual sole sections, especially with different shoe sizes, considerably Manufacturing effort required.

There is also already known a shoe bottom of the type specified in the preamble of claim 1 (FR-PS 958 766), in which not flat sole parts are used with local measures to influence the material compliance, but a sandwich construction with individual, between plate-shaped Provides layers arranged support elements which are arranged transversely to the longitudinal direction of the shoe bottom. These support elements are tube sections made of rubber, which are arranged in parallel and in mutual contact, the stiffness being able to be adapted locally to the circumstances by inserting fillers or springs. However, this known shoe base, which is also not intended for sports shoes, does not allow a fundamental solution to the problem described above, because because of the mutual contact and the resulting support of the pipe sections, their compressive deformability, but not their basic deformation characteristics, can be changed. Weight loss is also not to be expected.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide a shoe bottom of the type specified which provides adequate cushioning and with which the deformation behavior in the individual sole sections can be adapted in a simple manner to the biomechanics of the foot during the rolling process. In addition, the weight of the shoe bottom should be reduced.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the configuration according to the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

The invention thus frees itself from the use of flat sole parts for a shoe bottom, which perform the intended functions due to their compressive deformability, and essentially replaces them with individual supporting elements, each of which represents a circumferentially closed box profile with internal struts. The compressive deformability of such a box profile is not based on the compressibility of the material, but on the bending elasticity of the straps, walls and struts of the box profile, whereby the deformation behavior can be very largely influenced and changed by their design and arrangement relative to one another and by their individual dimensions. By making relatively minor changes to the arrangement of the inner struts, a variety of differently deformable support elements can therefore be created, which allows the flexibility to be controlled in a targeted manner across the surface of the sole base. Above all, however, the use of support elements of this type, in contrast to solid compressible sole layers, allows a specific anisotropy to be generated, which has the effect that the shoe bottom in the direction of the weight load, i.e. essentially perpendicular to the outsole surface, is noticeably more flexible than transverse to this direction. By utilizing such anisotropy, it is possible to obtain relatively long damping paths without being accompanied by a correspondingly extensive lateral deformability.

The technician has a number of options for the design and arrangement of the struts within the box profile. A basic embodiment, the relatively simple design with low weight and pronounced anisotropic behavior in provides the above meaning, provides that each support element has at least one with its ends on the lower belt and close to one of the support walls each supporting arch. In its simplest version, the support arch forms a simple upward curvature, ie it is designed like a bridge, and its apex lies approximately in the middle of the upper chord. But it is also conceivable to make the support arch wave-shaped so that it forms in the middle a downward curvature lying between the two upward curvatures, the apex of which is approximately in the middle of the lower flange. In both embodiments, a pressure load acting from above is distributed over the upper flange to the two side walls and to the curvature or curvatures of the support arch, the division taking place in relation to the flexibility of the side walls and the support arch. In any case, a substantial part of the pressure load is introduced into the lower flange via the support arch while deforming it.

A very extensive influence on the deformation behavior can only be achieved by the fact that and to what extent the support arch is firmly connected with its or its curvatures to the upper chord and possibly with its counter-curvature to the lower chord. A firm connection results in a greater stiffening, through which the support arch absorbs a larger proportion of the forces to be transmitted. However, if the support arch is only attached to the lower flange with its lower ends and can move with its curvature or curvatures relative to the upper flange, it can deflect to the side. In this case, a particularly pronounced anisotropic behavior is obtained because, for example, in the case of one-sided pressure loading from above - for example when putting on with the heel - the local flattening of the support arch on the loaded side results in an even greater curvature of the support arch on the less loaded side that too a stiffening caused by the different geometry.

The struts can also be formed by in turn closed ring or box profiles, which are arranged in the interior of the support element. In a further advantageous embodiment, at least one - then centrally arranged - annular profile is provided, which extends from the upper chord to the lower chord and is firmly connected to at least one of the belts.

In all the cases described, the support elements consist of a relatively hard, flexible plastic, e.g. made of hard-set polyamide, polyurethane or polyester. These plastics can also be reinforced with carbon or glass fibers.

The support elements are furthermore arranged one behind the other and - preferably - parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the shoe, at least their width changing according to the sole contour. The lateral support walls form the lateral sole edge surface, which is interrupted however due to the spacing of the supporting elements. In the case of sports shoes in particular, it is desirable to give the sole a flat wedge shape that tapers towards the front. In this case, the height of the individual support elements changes accordingly.

The support elements can either be manufactured in the individual sizes, which together form a shoe bottom, by injection molding. However, it is also possible to produce them in the extrusion or extrusion process and cut them to the desired length.

An essential part of the support structure formed by the shoe bottom according to the invention is formed by the foot-side cover layer or cover plate, which also consists of a relatively hard, but flexible plastic and is connected to the upper straps of the individual support elements, for example glued. The outsole is connected, for example glued, to the lower straps, which also represents an important part of the supporting structure and should also be flexible. It can be profiled on its running side, for example in the form of a glued-on wear sole. However, in contrast to the cover layer or cover plate, the outsole connected to the lower straps is not a mandatory requirement. Rather, the outsole could also be dispensed with, so that the lower straps themselves form the running side of the shoe bottom with their underside and are optionally provided or equipped for this purpose with a profiling.

A sole support according to DE-PS 37 16 424 is advantageously suitable as a cover layer or cover plate.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische, jedoch schematische Darstellung eines Sportschuhes mit einer ersten Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemässen Schuhbodens;

Fig. 2

eine zu Fig. 1 analoge Darstellung mit einer zweiten Ausführungsform des Schuhbodens;

Fig. 3

eine Sprengdarstellung, die die Einzelteile des in Fig. 1 gezeigten Sportschuhes deutlicher erkennen lässt;

Fig. 4

eine Untenansicht auf den Schuhboden gemäß Fig. 3 bei fehlender Laufsohlenschicht;

Fig. 5a, b

Ansichten der Traglemente bei dem Schuhboden gemäß Fig. 3, gesehen in Richtung der Pfeile Va bzw. Vb in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 bis 8a, b

zu den Fig. 3 bis 5a, b analoge Darstellungen des Sportschuhes gemäß Fig. 2;

Fig. 9, 10

Stirnansichten je eines Tragelements bei dem Schuhboden nach Fig. 1 bzw. Fig. 2, die das Verformungsverhalten des Tragelements bei einseitiger Belastung veranschaulichen;

Fig. 11 bis 18

Stirnansichten von möglichen Ausführungsformen der Tragelemente in gegenüber der natürlichen Grösse vergrösserter Darstellung;

Fig. 19 bis 21

eine weitere Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemässen Schuhbodens, wobei Fig. 19 eine Schrägansicht von unten bei entfernter laufseitiger Deckschicht, Fig. 20 die fußseitige Deckschicht in einer Schrägansicht von unten und Fig. 21 einen Schnitt längs der Linie XXI-XXI in Fig. 19, jedoch mit ergänzter laufseitiger Sohlenschicht, darstellen;

Fig. 22 bis 26

analog zu den Fig. 11 bis 18 Stirnansichten weiterer Ausführungsformen der Querschnitte von Tragelementen, die zur Erzielung einer örtlich betonten Steifigkeit bzw. Nachgiebigkeit bezüglich ihrer Mittellinie unsymmetrisch ausgebildet sind;

Fig. 27

eine entsprechende Darstellung eines Tragelement-Querschnitts, bei dem im Verlauf der Verformung Wirksam werdende Stütz-Verstrebungen vorgesehen sind, und

Fig. 28

eine Folge von Verformungszuständen unter verschiedenen Belastungen von oben, welche bei einem gegenüber Fig. 27 abgewandelten Tragelement-Querschnitt die Wirkung von erst während der Verformung des Tragelements wirksam werdenden Stütz-Verstrebungen veranschaulicht.

Further advantages and features of the invention result from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings and from further subclaims. The drawings show:

Fig. 1

a perspective, but schematic representation of a sports shoe with a first embodiment of the shoe bottom according to the invention;

Fig. 2

an illustration similar to Figure 1 with a second embodiment of the shoe bottom.

Fig. 3

an exploded view that shows the individual parts of the sports shoe shown in Figure 1 more clearly.

Fig. 4

a bottom view of the shoe bottom according to FIG 3 with no outsole layer.

5a, b

3, viewed in the direction of arrows Va and Vb in FIG. 4;

6 to 8a, b

3 to 5a, b representations analogous to the sports shoe according to FIG. 2;

9, 10

End views of each of a support element in the shoe bottom according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, which illustrate the deformation behavior of the support element under one-sided loading;

11 to 18

End views of possible embodiments of the support elements in an enlarged view compared to the natural size;

19 to 21

a further embodiment of a shoe bottom according to the invention, wherein FIG. 19 shows an oblique view from below with the running cover layer removed, FIG. 20 shows the foot-side cover layer in an oblique view from below and FIG. 21 shows a section along the line XXI-XXI in FIG. 19, but with supplemented running-side sole layer, represent;

22 to 26

analogous to FIGS. 11 to 18, end views of further embodiments of the cross sections of support elements which are asymmetrical with respect to their center line in order to achieve a locally emphasized stiffness or compliance;

Fig. 27

a corresponding representation of a cross-section of the supporting element, in which support struts which take effect in the course of the deformation are provided, and

Fig. 28

a sequence of deformation states under various loads from above, which illustrates the effect of support struts that only become effective during the deformation of the support element when the cross-section of the support element is modified compared to FIG. 27.

The sports shoe shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 each consists of a shaft 1 and a shoe bottom designated as a whole by 2 or 2 '. The upper 1, to which the present invention does not relate, may be of any type and design and may or may not have an insole (not shown). It is connected to the shoe bottom 2 or 2 ', for example by gluing.

3 shows the individual components of the shoe bottom 2, namely a cover plate 20 made of flexible plastic, a number (in the exemplary embodiment ten) of support elements 21, which are also made of a relatively hard but flexible plastic, and an outsole layer 22, which has a profiling on its barrel side. In the embodiment shown, the outsole 22 is made of an elastically resilient material, e.g. Rubber, which has a lower hardness and thus a greater compressibility than the material of the support elements 21 and the cover plate 20th

Both the cover plate 20 and the outsole layer 22 have the sole shape known from conventional shoes. In accordance with this shape of the sole, the width of the support elements 21, which is measured transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sole, is selected so that they each extend to the outer edge of the cover plate 20 or the outsole layer 22 and reproduce their contour. The support elements 21 can have a thickness measured in the longitudinal direction of the sole of 0.5 to 1.5 cm, which results in the distances provided between them for a certain sole size.

The representation in FIGS. 5a and 5b shows both the different width and the different height of the support elements 21 in the individual sole sections. The height of the support element 21 according to FIG. 5a is higher than that of the support element according to FIG. 5b. The support elements 21 adjacent to these support elements each have a stepwise increasing or decreasing height, so that the wedge shape of the shoe bottom which tapers towards the tip of the shoe and becomes clear from FIG. 1 results.

The support elements 21 each represent a circumferentially closed box profile that is open towards the end faces. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5a, b corresponds to that according to FIG. 11. Accordingly, the support element 21 used in this exemplary embodiment has an upper flange 201, a lower flange 202, lateral support walls 203 and a support arch 204 arranged as a strut in the interior of the profile cross section. The support arch 204 has a simple, upward curvature in the manner of a bridge and has grown with its lower ends 205 at a small distance (in the exemplary embodiment about 1/10 of the total width of the support element 21) from the side support walls 203 on the lower flange 202 " ". In addition, the support arch 204 has grown together with the upper chord 201 over a width that corresponds to approximately half the support arch width.

The upper belt 201 is largely flat or only flatly curved on its surface in the middle region, but is pulled up in its two end sections to create a footbed (cf. FIG. 11). The lower flange 202 has two end sections 206 which are flat on the underside and which are followed by two upwardly projecting curved sections 207 which are arranged symmetrically to the center and project upwards. These are interconnected by a central section 208 connected, the underside of which is at least approximately in one plane with the end sections 206. The curvature sections 207 protrude approximately up to half the height of the respective profile cross section of the support element 21.

The ends of the top flange 201 and the bottom flange 202 are connected to one another by the side support walls 203. The lateral support walls 203 each form an inward concave curvature, i.e. they are inclined inward in their lower half at an angle of approximately 60 ° to the horizontal and then bend outwards again to form a lateral bead-like projection 209. The lower end of the bead-like projection 209 is connected to the upper flange 201 by a support strut 210 connected. The upper chord 201 is further supported on the central section 208 of the lower chord 202 via an oval-ring-shaped support profile 212, which is firmly overgrown with the associated chord both on the top and on the bottom.

The thicknesses of the individual components forming the profile or supporting element described above, namely the upper and lower belt, the lateral support walls and the described struts, are approximately 1.5 to 2.5 mm and can also change in the course of the respective individual component. For the sake of simplicity of illustration, they are drawn here essentially uniformly thick.

FIG. 9 shows, purely schematically, the deformation behavior of the support element 21 shown in FIGS. 5a, 5 and 11 under a lateral load. If this support element is loaded centrically and vertically from above, for example when the runner is resting on it, the individual components deform correspondingly essentially symmetrically. In the case of the load, indicated by the arrow P, which acts obliquely from above and from the side, on the other hand the support arch 204 is pressed flat on one side and also towards the opposite side shifted something. This displacement leads to an intensification of the support arch curvature in the area opposite to the load P, whereby the support arch at this point becomes stiffer from above compared to the load which is still present. The part of the support element profile opposite the load P therefore maintains its original height due to this stiffening more than would be the case if there was a uniform load across the width of the upper flange 201. This stiffening also has the effect that the relevant cross-sectional part has less deformability to the side, ie the cross-sectional profile is not inclined, in contrast to the behavior of a layered sole consisting of homogeneous material. This corresponds to the anisotropic behavior described at the beginning, which reduces lateral displacement of the shoe bottom and thereby prevents a feeling of swimming.

The cover plate 20, which can have a thickness of 1.5 to 2 mm and preferably consists of fiber-reinforced plastic, is firmly connected to the upper chords 201 of the support elements 21 arranged one behind the other by gluing. The cover plate 20 thus forms the holder for the support elements 21, which ensures their mutual distance. The outsole layer 22 has two curved longitudinal ribs 23 which run in the longitudinal direction and converge towards the tip of the shoe, the cross-sectional shape of which is adapted to the contour of the curved sections 207 of the support elements 21 and is also firmly connected thereto by adhesive bonding. Otherwise, the outsole layer 22 is glued to the flat sections 206 and 208 of the lower flange of the support elements 21.

The representation of FIGS. 6 to 8 corresponds analogously to that of FIGS. 3 to 5 and differs therefrom only with regard to the different design of the support elements 21 '. For this reason, there is no need for a separate detailed explanation of FIGS. 6 to 8.

The structure of the support elements 21 'shown in FIGS. 8a, 8b correspond to the representation according to FIG. 12. These support elements also have an upper flange 201', a lower flange 202 ', lateral support walls 203' and a bead projection 209 'on both sides, which is supported by a support strut 210 'on the top chord 201'. In this respect, the outer contour of the box section formed by the support element 21 'essentially corresponds to that of the support element 21.

The shape and arrangement of the inner struts of the support element 21 'are different. These are formed by a support arch 214 which has two curvatures 215 which are symmetrically directed upwards towards the center and a counter-curvature 216 which lies between them and is directed downwards. The support arch 214, like the support arch 204 of the support element 21, is fastened to the lower flange 202 'in the vicinity of the lateral support walls 203'. Otherwise, however, it is not connected to the parts forming the profile circumference of the support element 21 '; the vertices of the curvatures 215 and 216 each keep a distance of 1 to 2 mm from the associated belt, so that they can move laterally relative to it.

10 shows the deformation behavior of the support element 21 'resulting from this design under the action of a one-sided force P. Due to the one-sided loading, the curvature 215 of the support arch 214, which is on the right in the drawing, is flattened, as a result of which the apex of the counter arch 216 is shifted from the center towards the opposite half of the profile cross section. This shift in turn leads to a markedly greater curvature of the left curvature 215, which thereby comes into contact with the upper flange 201 'and on the one hand supports it more than before by using the previously existing distance, and on the other hand by the greater curvature provides higher resistance to deformation due to a load acting from above. As a result, the cross-sectional half of the support element 21 'on the left in the drawing is stiffened, so that lateral "floating away" does not occur.

13, 15, 16 and 18 show modified embodiments of the support elements having a support arch.

13 shows the simplest embodiment of a box profile for a support element with a single arched support arch 224. The support arch 224 is fixed with its lower ends to a lower flange 222 and with its apex 225 to an upper flange 221. The lateral support walls 226 have an inwardly protruding curvature 227, but are not supported on the upper flange 221 by an additional bracing, which corresponds approximately to the support strut 210. The lower flange 222 has a plurality of small, inwardly directed bulges 228 in its central section, which resemble a wave structure. The outsole layer used in connection with supporting elements of this design - not shown - has a corresponding number of longitudinal ribs, the cross section of which in turn corresponds to the corrugated structure.

The support element according to FIG. 13 is more easily deformable and thus softer than the support element 21 according to FIG. 1.

15 differs from that according to FIG. 11 essentially only in the design of the lower flange 232 and the replacement of the annular support profile 212 by a further support arch 234. The further support arch 234 is with the lower flange 232 on both sides of a single one central curvature section 235 and with its apex area with the upper chord 231 firmly connected. In addition, the lateral support walls 233 merge into the lower flange 232 with a clear curve 236. 15 is stiffer compared to that of FIG. 11 and has a less pronounced anisotropic behavior.

The support element according to FIG. 16 differs from that according to FIG. 11 only in the shape and arrangement of the central annular support profile. Otherwise, the design is unchanged. The central support profile 242 in this embodiment has approximately the shape of a semicircular arch and is firmly connected at both ends 243 to the upper flange 241 or the support arch 244. It extends in the direction of the lower flange 240, but maintains a clear distance of 2 to 3 mm from its two curvature sections 247. The support element according to this embodiment is softer than that according to FIG. 11, but stiffer than that according to FIG. 13 and has a less pronounced anisotropic behavior than these two.

The support element according to FIG. 18 differs from that according to FIG. 11 again by the different design of the lower flange 252 and the central annular support profile 250. Otherwise it is unchanged. The lower flange 252 has a single central curvature section 257, on the two flanks of which the lateral boundaries of the annular support profile 250 start. In this exemplary embodiment, the support profile 250 has a quadrangular cross-sectional shape with inwardly drawn side lines and is firmly connected to the upper flange 251. The deformation behavior of this support element is similar to that according to FIG. 11.

14 and 17 show embodiments of support elements in which the inner strut of the circumferential profile cross section is formed by a plurality of ring-shaped support profiles. So the The embodiment according to FIG. 14 has three annular support profiles 264 which divide the upper chord 261 and the lower chord 262 into approximately equal sections, which have a cross-sectional shape of an upright oval and are firmly connected to the belts by their upper and lower vertices.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 17, three support profiles 274 of approximately triangular cross-section project downward from the upper flange 271, the tips of which are interwoven with bulging sections 277 projecting upward from the lower flange 272.

19 to 21 show a special embodiment of the cover plate 20 '' of the shoe bottom, in which the joint area 3 is deliberately drawn in through lateral recesses 4 in order to achieve extensive rotatability of the front sole part with respect to the rear sole part, but also by a hump-like, in Longitudinal direction-directed thickening 5 is stiffened against bending about a transverse axis. Accordingly, only the front sole part and the rear sole part are equipped with support elements, while the joint area 3 is kept free of them. The support elements can be of the type as described above in connection with the further embodiments.

The cover plate 20 ″ also has on its underside both in the front sole part and in the rear sole part in each case three dovetail grooves 6 which run parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the sole and in which cross-sectionally corresponding dovetail ribs 7 of the support elements engage. The ribs 7 can either be blown into the dovetail grooves 6, which presupposes a correspondingly resiliently deformable material of the cover plate 20 ″, or inserted into the grooves 6, which requires at least one end opening of these grooves. The Rib / groove connection is reinforced by an additional adhesive provided between the support elements and the underside of the cover plate 20 ″.

22 to 26 show different cross-sectional shapes of support elements, the common characteristic of which consists in a bracing of the box section which is asymmetrical with respect to the vertical central plane M (FIG. 22). 22 to 24 have an approximately centrally arranged annular closed support profile 312, 322 and 332, of which the first two support profiles have approximately the shape of a regular hexagon, while the latter annular support profile has angled support struts and insofar as corresponds approximately to the annular support profile 250 according to FIG. 18.

In the cross-section according to FIG. 22, a support strut in the form of a half elliptical arch 313 adjoins (on the right) outside the annular support profile 312 314 is closed. The support rod 314 is supported on the upper chord 301 and on the lower chord 302; the strongly curved outer side of the ellipse arch 313 has grown together with the associated side wall 303. On the left side of the box section, two outwardly curved support bars 315, 316 connect to the annular support section 312. The side support walls 303 and 304 of the box section are convexly curved outwards.

The aim of this asymmetrical design of the support cross-section is to ensure, regardless of the direction of loading, that there is a targeted, stronger deformation at one point in the cross-section. For example, if the support element according to FIG. 22 is aimed at overpronation on the heel avoid, then the corresponding support elements are arranged in the heel area of the sole so that the ellipse arch 313 to the medial side, the support rods 315, 316, however, to the lateral side of the foot.

23, the right side is designed the same as that of FIG. 22. Different is the design of the left half of the cross section, in which instead of the support rods 315, 316 an open half elliptical arch 323 is provided, which with its more curved apex has grown on the inwardly curved or kinked sidewall 324. The ends of the elliptical arc run into the upper chord or the lower chord in the immediate vicinity of the annular support profile 322.

In both cross-sectional shapes, according to FIGS. 22 and 23, the cross-sectional half in which the elliptical arch stiffened by a support rod is arranged is stiffer than the other cross-sectional half against loads acting from above. Therefore, if, as mentioned in the previous example, support elements with this design are arranged on the heel side of a sole support plate, the right half of the cross section in the drawing lying medially, then the lower flexibility at this point counteracts overpronation.

24 has in the half to the right of the annular closed support profile 332 two additional support angles 333 and 334, the angle apex of which points towards the center. In the left half of the cross-section there is a support angle 335 with its angle apex pointing outwards, which has a notch 336 on the outside of the angle apex. In the side wall 337 of the support element, this is assigned a projecting rib 338, which in the course of the deformation of both the support angle 335 and the Side wall 337 penetrates into the recess 336 and can be supported therein. With the time of contact and support, the rigidity of the left half of the cross section increases significantly, so that it has a progressive spring behavior.

25 and 26 show two variants of asymmetrically designed cross-sectional shapes with a diagonal bracing. Here, two crossing diagonal struts 342, 343 and 352, 353 penetrate the space formed by the upper flange, lower flange and side walls of the box cross-section such that they also penetrate one another and are supported on the lower flange. 25, the lower flange has a central bulge section 345 and the right half of the cross-section is stiffened by an essentially S-shaped support strut 346, which attaches to the lower flange and to the diagonal strut 343. In the embodiment according to FIG. 26, the lower flange runs smoothly and the left half of the cross section is additionally stiffened by a substantially rectilinear support strut 355, which attaches to the lower flange and to the connection point of the diagonal strut 352 with the upper flange.

27 and 28 show examples of cross sections of support elements in which - similar to embodiment 24 - support parts are formed in cross section, the support effect of which only begins after a certain deformation of the support element. These support parts are combined with other support struts in such a way that their support effect is only effective in one half of the cross-section in the event of an asymmetrical load from above, and a pronounced asymmetrical deformation behavior is the result.

27 in the undeformed state shows a symmetrical structure with three S-shaped curved support struts 361 and 362, respectively. The upper ends of the strut group 361 diverge to the upper ends of the strut group 362, while the lower ends of these two groups converge to each other. The lower flange has a pronounced bulge 365 and carries two laterally projecting support horns 366, 367, which in the undeformed state maintain a distance of 2 to 3 mm from the innermost support strut 361 and 362, respectively. With a precisely vertical load, the S-shape of the support struts 361, 362 is evenly reinforced, the upper halves of the respective inner support struts 361, 362 resting against the end sections of the support horns 366 and 367 in the course of the deformation. From the moment of contact, the vertical load is also taken over by the support horns. The deformation is symmetrical. If an eccentric vertical load acts, as occurs, for example, when stepping on the heel, then one group of support struts will move towards the assigned support horn due to the deformation that occurs, but the other group will move away from it. The described additional support effect by the support horns therefore only occurs on one side.

28 uses a purely schematic illustration to show the effect described in connection with a cross-sectional shape in which a group of two S-shaped support struts 371, 372 is arranged on each side of a central bulge 375 of the lower flange. The position and orientation of the support struts 371, 372 essentially correspond to those in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 27. It is different that each of the support struts 371, 372 in the region of the upper and lower S-curvature, where they are each tangentially applied, support horns 373, 374 and 376, 377. The upper support horns 373, 374 converge to one another; the lower support horns 376, 377 diverge relative to each other. The free ends of all support horns keep a distance of, for example, 2 mm from the top flange or the bottom flange.

If the supporting element is loaded by a central vertical force according to FIG. 28b, the cross section deforms symmetrically. After deformation, the extent of the distance between the free ends of the support horns and the associated upper chord or lower chord has been used up, the contact horns come into contact with the upper chord or lower chord and thus bring about a progressive increase in spring stiffness. The deformation takes place symmetrically. 28c and d, however, the S-shaped support struts deform in the manner shown in the drawing in a manner different from one another. The result is that in the cross-sectional half towards which the load acts, the support horns come into effect, while in the cross-sectional half, where the force effect "passes", the support horns are not supported on the upper flange and lower flange despite the deformation of the support struts.

Although in the preceding exemplary embodiments support elements of the type described are provided at least on the front sole part and the rear sole part and in some exemplary embodiments also in the joint area, the invention is not restricted to this. Thus, it can be considered to provide support elements of the type and design described only in the rear sole part (heel area), while the front sole part and the joint area are conventionally formed by a flat sole layer, for example by a correspondingly shortened intermediate wedge. In this way, the anisotropic deformation behavior described in the above context is obtained only in the heel area, in which the "swimming" to be avoided thereby occurs most pronouncedly due to the greatest sole thickness there and the special inclined load after the foot is placed on the floor. It is also conceivable that, in contrast to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the heel-side support elements are not transverse to To arrange the longitudinal direction of the sole, but parallel to this or, with the center approximately in the joint area of the sole, radially diverging towards the rear.

The support elements can be fastened to the upper cover plate or cover layer by gluing with, if necessary, additional support by means of a positive connection (cf. FIGS. 19 to 21). Instead of gluing, however, hot welding with thermoplastic materials, in particular ultrasonic welding, is possible. This proves to be advantageous compared to the gluing in that the supporting elements only have to be positioned on the cover plate, possibly automatically by controlled grippers, and then the ultrasonic electrodes move up and effect the connection process. A previous application of adhesive with the associated risk of contamination of adjacent parts is avoided.

Insofar as comparisons have been made in the above description about the deformation behavior and the stiffness between the individual embodiments of the support elements, these are understood on the premise that the dimensions and material of the box profiles in question are the same.

Claims (24)

1. A shoe bottom, in particular for sports shoes, comprising a plurality of individual carrier elements (21, 21') of flexurally resilient material which are directed transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the shoe and which are arranged one behind the other in the longitudinal direction of the shoe, a cover plate portion (20) which covers the carrier elements on the foot side and which is connected thereto, and a possibly profiled outsole (22) which covers the carrier elements on the outward side and is connected thereto, characterised in that each carrier element (21, 21') is formed by a closed box profile portion with an upper web portion (201, 201', 221, 231, 241, 251, 261, 271) which extends transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the shoe, a lower web portion (202, 202', 222, 232, 240, 252, 262, 272) which is parallel to the upper web portion, two lateral support balls (203, 203', 226, 233) which connect the ends of the web portions together, and bracing means which support the upper web portion relative to the lower web portion.
2. A shoe bottom according to claim 1 characterised in that the bracing means is formed by at least one support arch portion (204, 214, 224, 234, 244) which is attached by its ends (205) to the lower web portion (202) and adjacent respective ones of the support walls (203, 203').
3. A shoe bottom according to claim 2 characterised in that the support arch portion (204, 224, 234, 244) forms a single curvature upwardly and its apex point is disposed approximately at the centre of the upper web portion.
4. A shoe bottom according to claim 2 characterised in that the support arch portion (214) forms a double upwardly directed curvature (215) and an opposite curvature (216) downwardly therebetween and the apex point of the opposite curvature is disposed approximately at the centre of the lower web portion (202').
5. A shoe bottom according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterised in that the region of its apex points the support arch portion is fixedly connected to the upper or lower web portion respectively.
6. A shoe bottom according to one of claims 2 to 4 characterised in that in the region of its apex points the support arch portion extends at a small spacing from the upper or lower web portion respectively.
7. A shoe bottom according to one of claims 3, 5 and 6 characterised in that an annular support profile (212, 242, 250) is arranged between the apex region of the support arch portion and the lower web portion.
8. A shoe bottom according to one of claims 4 to 6 characterised in that an annular support profile is arranged between the apex region of the opposite curvature (216) of the support arch portion and the upper web portion.
9. A shoe bottom according to claim 7 or claim 8 characterised in that the annular support profile is fixedly connected only to the apex region of the support arch portion or to the web portion.
10. A shoe bottom according to claim 3 characterised in that disposed under the support arch portion is a further support arch portion (234), the two ends of which are attached within the first support arch portion to the lower web portion (232) and which is connected by its apex region to the apex region of the first support arch portion.
11. A shoe bottom according to one of claims 1 to 10 characterised in that the lateral support walls are curved inwardly.
12. A shoe bottom according to claim 11 characterised in that the apex point of each inwardly curved support wall is connected to the upper web portion by way of a support strut portion (210, 210').
13. A shoe bottom according to one of claims 1 to 12 characterised in that the lower web portion has a local curvature (207, 235, 247, 257) upwardly between the attachment points of the support arch portion at at least one location.
14. A shoe bottom according to the classifying portion of claim 1 characterised in that each carrier element has an upper web portion (261, 271) extending transversely relative to the longitudinal direction of the shoe, a lower web portion (262, 272) which is parallel to the upper web portion, two lateral support walls connecting the ends of the web portions, and at least one annular support profile (264, 274) which extends vertically between the web portions and which is connected to the upper web portion and/or to the lower web portion.
15. A shoe bottom according to claim 14 characterised in that the lower web portion forms under each annular support profile (274) a lateral projection (277) on which the support profile bears.
16. A shoe bottom according to claim 14 characterised in that the lower web portion (262) has a local curvature upwardly between respective adjacent annular support profiles (264).
17. A shoe bottom according to claim 1 characterised in that the bracing means are arranged asymmetrically in the cross-section of the box profile, relative to a central plane (M) which is perpendicular with respect to the lower web portion.
18. A shoe bottom according to one of claims 14 to 17 characterised in that formed on one side of the annular support profile (312, 322) which is arranged approximately centrally in the cross-section is a bracing means (313) which is in the form of half an elliptical arc and the more heavily curved apex of which is connected to the associated side wall (303), while the ends of the elliptical arc are connected by a strut portion (314) connecting the upper web portion (301) to the lower web portion (302).
19. A shoe bottom according to claim 18 characterised in that the strut portion (314) is curved or angled outwardly.
20. A shoe bottom according to claim 18 or claim 19 characterised in that arranged on the other side of the annular support profile are support strut portions (315, 316) which connect the upper web portion to the lower web portion.
21. A shoe bottom according to claim 20 characterised in that the support strut portions are curved or angular.
22. A shoe bottom according to claim 17 or claim 18 characterised in that arranged on the other side of the annular support profile (322) is only one bracing means (323) which is in the form of half an elliptical arc and the more heavily curved apex of which is connected to the associated side wall (324) while the ends of the elliptical arc are attached to the upper web portion or lower web portion or to the annular support profile (322).
23. A shoe bottom according to claim 17 characterised in that the bracing means include diagonal strut portions (342, 343; 352, 353) which pass through each other and which are connected together in one half of the cross-section by an additional support strut portion (345, 355).
24. A shoe bottom according to one of claims 1 to 23 characterised in that at least some of the bracing means carry support portions (373, 374; 376, 377) which in the unloaded condition of the carrier element, maintain a spacing from other bracing means or from the upper web portion and/or lower web portion and which, in the course of a loading on the carrier element, come into supporting contact with the other bracing means or the upper web portion and/or lower web portion.

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