EP0930028A1 - Sole for safety footwear and shoe comprising such a sole - Google Patents

Abstract

The sole (1) has a concave hollow (1') with a flat base. Its lateral edges are formed by pairs of wings (2) that are discontinuous and are made of an elastic and resilient material. The wings have oblique parts (3,3',3''), inclined outwards, that are separated by grooves (4). Inserts (11), in foam material, and patterns in relief (9) are held in the hollows.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of footwear, more particularly safety footwear for professional use and domestic, and relates to a sole and a safety shoe comprising such a sole.

Despite the progress already made in the field of footwear safety, many shoes of this type still have drawbacks in terms of comfort and stability, in particular on hard surfaces, respectively slippery and / or sloping as they are frequently encountered, especially in industry.

The soles of these shoes are conventionally made in synthetic or elastomeric materials (polyurethane, rubber, etc.), which have the common feature of being resistant to chemicals and solvents commonly used in the industry.

However, it has been found in practice that many of these synthetic or elastomeric materials also had the disadvantage of not offering only cushioning and therefore basic comfort, as well as grip insufficient on sloping and / or slippery surfaces.

In particular the European standard CE 345 requires manufacturers of safety shoes to guarantee a minimum anti-slip coefficient 0.15.

It has been proposed to solve these problems by drawing and then directly forming in these soles, raised surfaces with properties shock absorbing and non-slip.

Unfortunately, the increased roughness obtained by the roughness of the molded reliefs in the sole is often largely offset by the decrease of the damping effect and the contact surface resulting from these same structures. In the same way, these reliefs are exposed, always because of their surface reduced, to comparatively greater wear, thus limiting the duration of life of the shoes which are equipped with it.

This is all the more disadvantageous as the price of safety is generally higher than that of conventional shoes.

In addition, it often happens that these raised structures or surfaces are clogged with solid or muddy materials such as debris, stones, earth, etc., so that the contact surface of the sole with the ground is again more or less flat and uneven, making surfaces cushioning and non-slip more or less inoperative.

The object of the present invention is in particular to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks.

To this end, it relates to a sole, in particular for shoes security, characterized in that it comprises, in its lower part, a indentation of substantially concave shape formed by the different surfaces of support of said sole, the protruding lateral edges towards the bottom of the substantially concave indentation, preferably with a flat bottom, being preferably formed by support fins forming the first surfaces of support and distributed discontinuously over at least part of said sole.

Unground, a safety shoe with a sole according to the present invention rests only on said side edges protruding downward from the substantially concave recess (ridges prominent support fins).

However, when the user puts on a shoe fitted from such a sole, the weight of his body exerts enough pressure to that the lateral edges or support fins are crushed by bending towards the exterior and provide it, possibly in collaboration with other surfaces which also come into contact with the ground due to the weight of the user, a contact surface and therefore a sufficient anti-skid coefficient.

In an advantageous embodiment, said sole comprises also one or more insert (s), this or these latter can collaborate with said support fins.

The invention also relates to a safety shoe comprising at least one end piece or a rigid front shell and provided with a sole as described below.

la figure 1 est une vue de profil d'une chaussure de sécurité gauche selon l'invention;

la figure 2 est une vue de dessous de la chaussure de sécurité gauche représentée sur la figure 1;

la figure 3 est une vue en coupe partielle selon l'axe A-A d'une semelle conformément à la présente invention, et

la figure 4 est une vue en coupe partielle selon l'axe B-B d'une semelle conformément à la présente invention.

The invention will be better understood from the description below, which relates to a preferred embodiment, given by way of nonlimiting example, and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a left safety shoe according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a bottom view of the left safety shoe shown in Figure 1;

FIG. 3 is a view in partial section along the axis AA of a sole in accordance with the present invention, and

Figure 4 is a partial sectional view along the axis BB of a sole according to the present invention.

As shown in the figures of the accompanying drawings, the shoe of safety according to the invention comprises a sole 1 comprising, in its part lower, a recess 1 ′ of substantially concave shape formed by the different bearing surfaces of said sole. This structure allows, because of its configuration, a significant damping effect that can be further enhanced by a judicious choice of materials which constitute these bearing surfaces. We can thus advantageously use elastic damping materials and / or resilient, for example, rubbery materials or the like.

This geometry can be obtained in particular by ensuring that the thickness of the sole is greater at the edges than in its part central. We can, for example, obtain this kind of soles by eliminating material by digging inside them, or by creating lower flanks flared outwards, peripheral beads ...

In a preferred embodiment, the side edges protruding downwards of the substantially concave recess 1 ′ are formed by support fins 2 forming the first support surfaces and distributed in a manner discontinuous on at least part of said sole 1. The bottom of this recess may preferably be flat in order to guarantee a contact surface level with the ground and therefore a sufficient grip and / or damping effect.

As can be clearly seen in the appended figures, the sole 1 reports, at least where support fins 2 are present, of a substantially concave section due to the recess 1 'which has, in this mode of realization, a flat bottom.

The support fins 2 are advantageously present in an even number to form pairs of support fins 2 located opposite one another on the around the sole 1. They may be present on a part more or less important, even on the whole, of the periphery of the sole 1. In the mode of shown embodiment, the support fins 2 are absent at the ends of the sole 1 where specific solid elements are provided which will be detailed more far.

The support fins 2 can be made in one piece or in several blocks or parts. According to a particular embodiment and as seen very clearly in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the support fins 2 extend each from sole I to the ground or down, and are each formed of a or more portion (s) 3, 3 ', 3 "oblique (s) slightly inclined towards the outside, separated by one or more grooves 4 and having increasing heights outwards.

The parts directed towards the ground of the portions 3, 3 ', 3 "can be inscribed in flat upper surfaces inclined towards the inside of the sole 1, as illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 or 4, or inscribed in surfaces slightly arched and rounded upper dotted lines in Figures 3 and 4.

The support fins 2 are advantageously made of material elastic and resilient and will thus have, due to the nature of the material which constitutes and because of their structure, the damping function sought in providing, for example when walking, specific damping for each part of the sole. This significantly increases the comfort of the wearer of a such shoe.

To further improve this comfort, shape, dimensions and material of the support fins 2 can be judiciously determined in such a way so that the flat bottom of the substantially concave recess 1 'comes in support on the ground when the wearer takes support on the foot resting on said sole 1.

Indeed, depending on the pressure exerted by the body weight of the carrier, and elements present on the sole 1, the contact of the latter with the floor can be successively covered by one or more of the following: the portion (s) 3, 3 ', 3 "of the support fins 2, the surface of the front element solid 5 and the solid rear element 6 of the heel, the surfaces offered by the relief patterns 9, 10 of the inserts 11 and possibly the remaining surfaces of the sole 1.

Effective contact of sole I with perfectly level ground therefore depends directly on the presence of the various elements cited previously and their respective heights from the base plane of the sole 1, that is to say the horizontal plane which separates sole 1 from the rest of the shoe.

a) la pression exercée sur la semelle 1 fait que seules les portions 3, touchent le sol, ce qui a comme effet d'augmenter la répartition de la charge sur des zones d'appui éloignées de la semelle et donc d'augmenter l'amortissement et la stabilité ;

b) la pression exercée sur la semelle 1 est assez forte pour que les portions 3' touchent aussi le sol mais sans que les inserts 11 de la partie centrale du corps de ladite semelle n'entrent en contact avec le sol. Dans ce cas, l'effet de répartition de la charge mentionné au point a) est renforcé par une surface de contact plus grande ;

c) la pression exercée sur la semelle 1 est assez forte pour que les portions 3' et les inserts 11 de la partie centrale du corps de ladite semelle entrent en contact avec le sol. Les portions 3, 3' sont, du fait de la pression exercée, écrasées et le ou les insert(s) 11 de la partie centrale touche(nt) aussi le sol procurant une surface de contact encore plus grande.

If it is assumed, for example, that all the elements mentioned above are indeed present on the sole 1, that the front part of the shoe does not intervene because of the natural curvature of the shoe as shown in the figure 1 and if it is assumed that the height of the insert (s) 11 is uniform and, for example, between that of the portions 3 ′ and 3 "as is the case in FIGS. 3 and 4, can distinguish three cases:

a) the pressure exerted on the sole 1 causes only the portions 3 to touch the ground, which has the effect of increasing the distribution of the load on bearing areas remote from the sole and therefore increasing the cushioning and stability;

b) the pressure exerted on the sole 1 is strong enough so that the portions 3 ′ also touch the ground but without the inserts 11 of the central part of the body of said sole coming into contact with the ground. In this case, the load distribution effect mentioned in point a) is reinforced by a larger contact surface;

c) the pressure exerted on the sole 1 is strong enough for the portions 3 ′ and the inserts 11 of the central part of the body of said sole to come into contact with the ground. The portions 3, 3 'are, due to the pressure exerted, crushed and the insert (s) 11 of the central part also touches the ground, providing an even greater contact surface.

If the height of the insert (s) 11 should be lower, for example example due to wear, to that of the 3 "portions, it is clear that the latter would then come into action in order, for example, to prevent total wear of the or insert (s) 11.

As shown by the nonlimiting example described above, the relative heights and structures of the different elements present on the sole 1, as well as the nature of the material from which they are formed, determine the element (s) which come into contact with the ground when the pressure exerted by the shoe wearer increases.

As an additional contact surface due to the support fins 2 in the configuration of the nonlimiting example described above, one or more discontinuous ring (s) of bearing surfaces made on almost the entire periphery through the 3 'and possibly 3 "portions, and in extension downward and laterally outward of the sole 1 through the portions 3 of the support fins 2.

These support points or areas increase the total contact surface shoe with the ground and provide cushioning and / or particularly useful stabilizers, especially on smooth surfaces or slippery.

According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, and as can be seen in Figure 2, the front support part and / or the rear part support of the lower part of the sole 1 is / are respectively made (s) in a solid front 5 and / or rear 6 element. However, the use of a material sufficiently rigid for the production of this massive frontal element 5 and / or of this massive rear heel element 6 could allow this element to be made also in the form of a support wing, like the support wings 2 side.

This embodiment of the end portions of the sole 1 in massive elements is particularly advantageous due to the pressure forces and greater friction exerted by the wearer's foot at these locations and which could cause premature wear of the sole 1 and therefore a limited lifespan of the safety shoe fitted therewith.

To ensure good stability, the massive front element 5 and / or the solid rear element 6 comprises (s) one or more structure (s) or pattern (s) non-slip (s) 7, for example in the form of grooves or the like.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings, the sole produced in accordance with the present invention is further provided with channels 13 crossing the sole 1 right through and alternating with the support fins 2. These channels 13 can in particular be used to evacuate undesirable solid objects and liquids trapped between sole 1 and the ground.

The support fins 2 can also serve as protection against wear, stones, broken glass, etc., for relief patterns 9, 10 constituting the central part of the sole 1 which will be described below.

The sole 1 advantageously comprises at least one zone of bending 8, preferably located between two inserts 11, where the thickness of said sole is comparatively weaker. In a usual embodiment of the sole 1 according to the invention, this flexion zone 8 is unique and located between the two inserts 11, approximately in the middle of the sole 1, being offset towards the heel.

The sole 1 has on its underside relief patterns 9, 10 located in the central part of the sole 1 between the support fins 2, one 9 said patterns being disposed at the level of the front support zone of the sole 1 and the other 10 of said patterns being disposed substantially at the rear zone of said sole 1, corresponding to the heel.

As can be seen in Figure 2, the two pairs of fins 2 consecutive support, which are each facing each other, define, by the extent of the portions 3, 3 'and 3 ", the remaining width in the center of the sole 1 which receives the relief pattern (s) 9, 10.

According to a particular embodiment, the relief patterns 9, 10 form the central flat bottom of the substantially concave recess 1 ′ and are made in the form of inserts 11 made of foam or another material absorbing shocks and / or a material or structure adapted to different soils and surface conditions.

The insert (s) 11 which is / are integrated in the structure itself of the sole 1 carries (s) the pattern (s) in relief 9, 10 and is / are intended (s): either to increase the comfort of the wearer, or to improve the grip of the shoe on the ground, in particular, in collaboration with the support fins 2, ie both.

Indeed, the insert (s) 11 made of foam or another material shock absorbing and / or a material or structure suitable for different soils and surfaces, can / can constitute one or as many means (s) additional cushioning and grip (s), increasing comfort and user stability (security).

Varied inserts adapted to different soils and surface conditions offer a wide choice to the worker to optimize the grip of his shoes to the different floors / surfaces over which they are to move.

Thus, by way of nonlimiting examples, one can provide inserts to metal points for particularly slippery or sloping floors, inserts magnets for workers moving on material surfaces magnetic, inserts with suction cups or pins for wet and slippery floors, inserts resistant to particularly corrosive chemicals, anti-static effect inserts, etc.

These inserts can be mounted by the usual methods used in the field of shoe manufacturing, such as the methods of bonding, coextrusion with the sole and the like.

In a preferred embodiment according to the invention, the one or more insert (s) 11 is / are put in place during the injection molding of the sole 1, preferably made of polyurethane material and thus integrated into the sole mass 1.

In a preferred variant, the material forming the sole 1 is directly injected on the base of the part constituting the remainder of the body of said shoe (first + base of the upper).

Furthermore, in another variant, the inserts 11 could be made of a material identical to the material constituting the rest of the sole.

In this case, the inserts actually become an integral part of the sole which can then advantageously be made in one piece and in one single manufacturing operation, in particular by injection molding on the first and the stem.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the relief patterns 9, 10 are crossed by channels of inserts 12 collaborating and communicating with the 13 alternating channels to ensure better evacuation of bodies or liquids likely to reduce the grip and / or comfort of the wearer.

As clearly seen in Figure 2, the channels 12 of the inserts 11 can be aligned and parallel to the axes connecting two facing channels 13 from each other around the sole 1.

In a preferred variant, the channels 12 of the inserts 11 are not not aligned with the axes connecting the channels 13 facing each other, but are oriented in directions inclined to the transverse to the longitudinal axis of the sole 1, so as to substantially connect together two opposite channels 13 and longitudinally offset (for example oriented in parallel directions to axis O shown in Figure 2).

In this way, we avoid the creation of one or more lines of preferential flex in sole 1, synonymous with premature wear lines due to repeated bending in these places.

Similarly, it is possible to combine non-parallel channels 12 in the central insert 11 with channels 12 of parallel inserts in the insert 11 of the sole of the sole 1.

It will also be noted in FIG. 2 that the channels of inserts 12 can have variable widths. Of course, the depth of the channels of inserts 12 can also vary within the same insert 11 and / or of an insert 1 1 to the other.

Advantageously, a wide insert channel 12 will be alternated and deep communicating with one or two channels 13 with an insert channel 12 narrower and shallower and whose ends end at two pairs of support fins 2, either facing in the case of channels 12 and 13 parallel and aligned (figure 2), that is to say of two different pairs in the case of channels 12 not parallel to channels 13.

It should be noted that both the solid front element 5, the rear element solid 6, the embossed patterns 9, 10 and / or the inserts 11 can / can be produced in a different material, synthetic or not, from that used for the fins support 2. For example, the solid front element 5 and / or the solid rear element 6 of the heel can / can be made of a material particularly resistant to wear.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are still possible, in particular from the point of view of the constitution of the various elements or by substitution of technical equivalents, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

Claims (15)

Sole in particular for safety shoe, characterized in that it comprises, in its lower part, a recess (1 ') of form substantially concave formed by the various bearing surfaces of said sole (1). Sole according to claim 1, characterized in that the edges lateral protruding downwards of the substantially concave recess (1 '), preferably with a flat bottom, are formed by support fins (2) forming the first bearing surfaces and distributed discontinuously over at least one part of said sole (1). Sole according to claim 2, characterized in that the fins support (2) are present in even number to form pairs of support fins (2) located opposite one another on the periphery of the sole (1) and in that said support fins (2) are made of elastic and resilient material. Sole according to any one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the support fins (2) each extend from the sole (1) down or down and are each formed of one or more portion (s) (3, 3 ', 3 ") oblique (s) slightly inclined towards the outside, separated by one or more several groove (s) (4) and having increasing heights towards the outside. Sole according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the shape, dimensions and material of the support fins (2) are determined in such a way that the flat bottom of the recess (1 ') substantially concave comes to rest on the ground when the wearer rests on the foot resting on said sole (1). Sole according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the front support part and / or the rear support part of the lower part of the sole (1) is / are respectively made of one element massive front (5) and / or rear (6). Sole according to claim 6, characterized in that the element solid front (5) and / or the solid rear element (6) comprises (s) one or more non-slip structure (s) or pattern (s) (7). Sole according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that it is provided with channels (13) passing through the sole (1) of part by part and alternating with the support fins (2). Sole according to any one of claims 2 to 8, characterized in that it has relief patterns (9, 10) located in the central part of the sole (1) between the support fins (2), one (9) of said patterns being disposed at the level of the front support zone of the sole (I) and the other (10) of said patterns being disposed substantially at the level of the zone rear of said sole (1). Sole according to claim 9, characterized in that the relief patterns (9, 10) form the central flat bottom of the recess (1 ') substantially concave and in that they are produced in the form of inserts (11) in foam or other shock absorbing material and / or a material or structure suitable for different soils and surface conditions. Sole according to any one of claims 9 and 10, characterized in that the raised patterns (9, 10) are crossed by channels inserts (12) collaborating and communicating with the alternating channels (13) of the sole (1). Sole according to any one of claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the inserts (11) are put in place during molding by injection of the sole (1). Sole according to claim 6 or 10, characterized in that the solid front element (5), the solid rear element (6), the relief patterns (9, 10) and / or the inserts (11) is / are made of a different material, synthetic or no, that used for the support fins (2). Safety shoe comprising at least one toe cap or one rigid frontal shell, characterized in that it comprises a sole (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13. Safety shoe according to claim 14, characterized in that the material forming the sole (1) is directly injected on the base of the part constituting the remainder of the body of said shoe.

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