GB2524840A

GB2524840A - Sole of an item of footwear

Info

Publication number: GB2524840A
Application number: GB1406168.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Richard Parker
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-04-04
Filing date: 2014-04-04
Publication date: 2015-10-07
Anticipated expiration: 2034-04-04
Also published as: GB2524840B; GB201406168D0

Abstract

A sole 1 of an item of footwear has a tread pattern, wherein a heel section 2 of the tread pattern comprises a profiled element 4 that protrudes from the undersurface of the sole and extends longitudinally and laterally, under where a user's heel will be located in use, to cover a majority of the heel section, wherein the profiled element comprises a central ridge 6 extending longitudinally along substantially the centre of the heel section, a first lateral ridge 8 extending longitudinally to one side of the central ridge and a second lateral ridge 10 extending longitudinally to the other side of the central ridge. The central ridge may split into two arms 12, 14 on the end nearest to the front of the footwear which forms a y-shaped ridge. Where the profile element may be arranged such that the ridges are connected and the connecting portions 16, 18 may be convex in construction.

Description

SOLE OF AN ITEM OF FOOTWEAR

The invention relates to a sole of an item of footwear with a tread pattern, in paiticular a tread paftern for a heel section of the sole.

It is known that the tread pattern of the shoe affects the transmission of foot pressure to the ground and can further affect the friction between the ground and the shoe. As a result, the tread pattern can significantly influence the performance of the wearer of the shoe. It is desirable to have a shoe sole with a tread pattern which can improve the performance of a wearer during sports, such as running.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a sole of an item of footwear having a tread pattern, wherein a heel section of the tread pattern comprises a profiled element that protrudes from the undersuface of the sole and extends longitudinally and laterally, under where a user's heel will be located in use, to cover a majority of the heel section, wherein the profiled element comprises a central ridge extending longitudinally along substantially the centre of the heel section, a first lateral ridge extending longitudinally to one side of the central ridge and a second lateral ridge extending longitudinally to the other side of the central ridge.

By providing on the heel section a profiled element which comprises three substantially longitudinally extending ridges laterally spaced across the heel section of the sole of a shoe, the sole may be more adapted to aid a wearer change their direction of travel, particularly at high speeds, i.e. the tread may emulate the ability to turn sharply at "high' speed or even from standing. The shape of the profiled element is considered to be able to offer a fast running tread pattern which can also provide lateral forces between the sole of the shoe and the ground to aid a sudden change in direction of travel. The shape of the profiled element may also prevent slipping, for example, when a user is on a grass terrain.

The ridges are preferably well defined and reasonably sharp, but they may also be rounded in form, marking the furthest extent of projection (i.e. point/line furthest from the undersurface of the sole) of a rounded or convex protrusion.

The ridges may each comprise a plurality of studs, spikes or undulations which run along the length of the ridge, for example in a line along each of the ridges. In other words, the ridges may each have a varying height along its length.

The heel section represents to the rearmost half of the sole of the item of footwear. The sole also comprises a forefoot section of the sole corresponding to the frontmost half of the sole. The forefoot section may comprise a tread pattern under where the forefoot and the toes of a user would be located in use.

The profiled element covers a majority of the heel section. This may be regarded as meaning that the profiled element extends over or covers at least 50% of the heel section, more preferably 50 to 90% of the heel section and most preferably between 55 to 75% of the heel section.

The term "item of footwear" may be used interchangeably with the term "shoe" and simply means an item which is worn on the foot, such a trainer or a boot etc. Preferably the item of footwear is, however, a sports shoe and more preferably a running shoe.

The longitudinal direction of the sole of the shoe is the length direction of the shoe from the front of the sole (i.e. where the toes of a user/wearer would be located in use) to the rear of the sole (i.e. where the heel of a user would be located in use). The transverse or lateral direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and extends from one lateral side of the sole of the shoe to the other.

The central ridge and the first and second lateral ridges are substantially or generally longitudinal in their extent. This means they are substantially or generally parallel to the longitudinal direction of the shoe, they may however extend slightly at an angle oblique to the longitudinal direction of the sole of the footwear.

For example, the ridges may extend substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the sole of the shoe, i.e. within ±100, or more preferably ±50, to the longitudinal direction.

Additionally, the ridges may have a varying angle relative to the longitudinal direction of sole and may for example extend in a curve. For example the lateral ridges may be curved to approximately follow the shape of the outer edge of the sole of the item of footwear.

The central substantially longitudinally extending ridge may be in a central third of the heel section in the width direction.

The central ridge may be positioned in a more forward location on the profiled element than the first and second lateral ridges. The ridges may be in a triangular array. The rearward end of the first and second lateral ridges may be more rearward than the rearward end of the central ridge and/or the frontward end of the central ridge may be more forward than the frontward end of the lateral ridges. The rearward end of the central ridge may be located in line with approximately the middle of the lateral ridges and/or the frontward end of the lateral ridges may be located in line with approximately the middle of the central ridge.

The tread pattern may be arranged so that the ridges are connected. For example, the first and second lateral lidges may connect at an end (or near an end) nearest the front of the sole of the item of footwear to the central ridge. The ridges may be connected by oblique (relative to the longitudinal direction of the sole) extending connecting portions. These connecting portions may be convex.

The first ridge may bifurcate at the end nearest the toe portion of the sole of the item of footwear so as to form two arms which together with the central ridge form a Y-shaped ridge.

When the ridges are connected, the first lateral ridge may be connected to one arm of the bifurcated central ridge and the second ridge may be connected to the other of the two arms.

Between the central ridge and each of the two lateral ridges there may be a recessed portion. The recessed portions, while being generally concave in nature, may have convex or concave surfaces extending from the bottom (i.e. deepest part) of the recess to the ridges, e.g. to provide a more rounded or sharper ridge respectively (the surfaces may appear rounded or scooped for example).

The profiled element on the heel section of the sole of the item of footwear may be symmetrical about the central ridge.

The profiled element (i.e. the uppermost surface of the ridges) may protrude (i.e. have a height) between 0.5mm and 2cm from the surface of the sole, i.e. the distance from the undersurface of the sole of the item of footwear to the outermost point(s) (i.e. the furthest extent of projection) of the profiled element is between 0.5mm and 2cm. More preferably the height is between 1mm and 1cm from the surface of the sole, for example up to 6mm.

The undersurface of the sole, from which the profiled element protrudes or projects, may be substantially flat.

When the profiled element comprises recess portions between the central ridge and each of the lateral ridges, the recess portions may have a depth which is substantially the same as the height of the profiled element, i.e. the deepest point of the recess portions may be the same level as the undersurface of the sole.

In use, on a substantially flat and hard-packed surface, the three ridges (and optionally the arms of the bifurcated central ridge) may be the only part of the tread of the heel section which contacts the ground.

The tread pattern on the heel section of the sole of the shoe may comprise an additional raised section. This additional raised section may be more towards the rear of the heel compared to the profiled element. The additional raised section may project, at least partially, beyond the rearward ends of the lateral ridges, i.e. it may be partially surrounded or encircled by the profiled element.

The sole of the item of footwear may also comprise a frontward tread pattern on the forefoot section of the sole. The tread pattern on the forefoot section of the sole may comprise a number of raised portions. For example, four raised portions.

When the frontward tread pattern comprises four raised portions, two raised portions may be substantially located in a more forward position than the other two raised portions. In this case, the two forward raised portions may be larger than the two more rearward raised portions.

The raised portions may be substantially tear-drop shaped, i.e. each protrusion may have a wider, rounded end and a narrower, pointed end. The narrower, pointed end may be more forward on the sole than the wider, rounded end. Alternatively, the raised portions may be more rounded and may be oval.

The profiled element and its three ridges (or protrusions) may extend forward from the heel section into the forefoot section of the sole of the item of footwear.

In use, on a substantially flat and hard-packed surface, the three ridges and the raised portions of the forefoot section may be the only parts of the tread of the sole which contact the ground.

The tread pattern would most likely be made by moulding. Thus the profiled element is preferably an injection-moulded formation on the undersurface of the sole. However, the tread pattern may alternatively be made by any other known manufacturing method such as additive manufacturing (3D printing), stamping (e.g. using a stamp applied to the surface to form the protrusions), etching, or some other process that removes material.

The sole of the footwear may be formed from a polymer or plastics material such as polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, ethyl vinyl acetate or rubber, etc. The profiled element and/or the raised portions of the forefront section may be formed from a different material to the underlying sole. For example, the profiled element and/or raised portions may be formed of a more wear resistant material.

Certain preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 a shows a perspective view of the heel section of the sole of an item of footwear; Figure lb shows a cross section of the heel section of Figure la; Figure 2 shows an alternative sole of an item of footwear; Figure 3 shows an alternative tread pattern for the sole of an item of footwear; and Figure 4 shows another alternative sole of an item of footwear.

Figure 1 shows a heel section 2 of a sole 1 for an item of footwear. The tread pattern on the heel section 2 comprises a profiled element 4. The profiled element 4 is raised from the undersuface of the sole of the item of footwear. The profiled element 4 is raised from the surface by up to 2 cm, i.e. the distance from the undersurface of the sole of the item of footwear to the outermost point(s) (i.e. the furthest extent of projection) of the profiled element is up to 1 cm.

The profiled element 4 comprises a central ridge 6 and two lateral ridges 8, 10. The central ridge 6 is split at a frontward end into two arms, 12, 14 so that the central ridge forms a Y-shaped ridge. Between the central ridge 6 and each of the lateral ridges 8, 10 is a recessed portion, 16, 18 which is generally concave. The ridges 6, 8, 10 are each on convex protrusions. This can most clearly be seen in the cross section view shown in Fig. lb. The rear end of each of the lateral ridges 8, 10 is more reaiward than the rear end of the central ridge 6. This means that the profiled element 4 overall has a W-shape or trident type shape at the rear.

The front end of the central ridge 6 is more forward than the front end of each of the lateral ridges 8, 10.

The front end of the lateral edges 8, lOis connected to the central ridge 6 by an oblique extending connecting portion.

Figure 2 shows an alternative sole 1 for an item of footwear. The profiled element 4 on the heel section 2 of the sole 2 has a different shape to that of Figure la. The oblique connecting portions between the lateral ridges 8, 10 and the central ridge 6 can be seen more clearly in this figure.

The sole also comprises a forefoot section 20. The forefoot section 20 comprises a tread pattern which comprises four teardrop-shaped raised potions 22.

Figure 3 shows an alternative tread pattern. The tread pattern comprises a profiled element 4 in which the ridges 6, 8, 10 are more rounded compared to the profiled element of Figures 1 and 2. Additionally, the recessed portions 16, 18 are narrower compared to the heel tread portions of Figures 1 and 2. The tread pattern also comprises four oval raised 22 which would be located under where a user's forefoot is located in use.

Figure 4 shows an alternative sole 1 for an item of footwear. In this Figure the ridges and recesses on the profiled element 4 are not shown for clarity.

The profiled element 4 is more elongate compared to the other tread patterns of Figures 1, 2 and 3 and extends into the forefoot section 20. This means that the forward end of the profiled element 4 is partially surrounded by the forefront raised sections 22.

Additionally, the tread pattern comprises an additional heel raised section 24 which is rearward of the profiled element 4 and is partially received in a space between the two lateral ridges.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A sole of an item of footwear having a tread pattern, wherein a heel section of the tread pattern comprises a profiled element that protrudes from the undersuface of the sole and extends longitudinally and laterally, under where a user's heel will be located in use, to cover a majority of the heel section, wherein the profiled element comprises a central ridge extending longitudinally along substantially the centre of the heel section, a first lateral ridge extending longitudinally to one side of the central ridge and a second lateral ridge extending longitudinally to the other side of the central ridge.
2. A sole according to claim 1, wherein the first ridge bifurcates at the end nearest the front of the sole of the item of footwear so as to form two arms which together with the central ridge form a Y-shaped ridge.
3. A sole according to claim 1 or2, wherein the profiled element is arranged so that the ridges are connected.
4. A sole according to claim 3, wherein the first and second lateral ridges are each connected at the end nearest the front of the sole of the item of footwear to the central ridge by an oblique extending connecting portion.
5. A sole according to claim 4, wherein the connecting portions are convex.
6. A sole according to any preceding claim, wherein there is a recessed portion between the central ridge and each of the two lateral ridges.
7. A sole according to any preceding claim, wherein the profiled element protrudes between 1mm and 1cm from the undersurface of the sole.
8. A sole according to any preceding claim, wherein the profiled element is symmetrical about the central ridge.
9. A sole according to any preceding claim, wherein, in use, on a substantially flat and hard-packed surface, the three ridges are arranged so that they are the only part of the profile element which contacts the ground.
10. A sole as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the central ridge is positioned in a more forward location on the profiled element than the first and second lateral ridges.
11. A sole as claimed in claim 10, wherein the ridges are in a triangular array.
12. A sole as claimed in claim 11, wherein a rearward end of the first and second lateral ridges is more rearward than a rearward end of the central ridge and/or a frontward end of the central ridge is more forward than a frontward end of the lateral ridges.
13. A sole as claimed in claim 12, wherein the rearward end of the central ridge is located in line with approximately the middle of the lateral ridges and/or the frontward end of the lateral ridges is located in line with approximately the middle of the central ridge.
14. A sole as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the profiled element represents the only tread in the heal section of the sole.
15. A running shoe having a sole as claimed in any preceding claim.