EP0913103A1 - Sole for sportsshoe - Google Patents

Abstract

Shoe sole has transverse connection spindles (10,20) anchored into the shoe. Independent anchoring device are located along a plane perpendicular to the sole longitudinal axis (2). Each connection is constituted by a U-shaped loop having a transverse branch (11,21) defining pivoting axis and two lateral branches (12,22). Each lateral branch is anchored in a direction vertical to the inside of the sole.

Description

The present invention relates to the design of sports shoes, and in particular sliding sports such as cross-country skiing or skating or other sports such as than the bike, in which the shoe should be attached to the sporting item while preserving a possibility of unwinding of the foot during the practice of sport, or by outside of it for example when walking.

In the aforementioned sports and in particular in cross-country skiing different modes of attachment of the shoe to the sports article have been tested.

Thus, the traditional method of binding consists of attaching the boot to the ski of bottom by means of a stirrup cooperating with a protruding front part of the sole and applying this part against cross-country skiing.

Such a method of attachment prevents the complete unfolding of the foot since the foot is fixed on a whole front part. To overcome this drawback, different systems have been proposed to articulate the boot on the cross-country ski around a axis fixed transversely on the shoe.

Different positions and methods of anchoring this axis, at the front of the shoe, at the level of the metatarsal area, using inserts, etc., have been tested with more or less satisfaction.

• un déroulement maximum du pied, nécessaire à l'obtention d'une grande impulsion ou amplitude de foulée suivant le sport pratiqué,
• un contrôle et guidage optimum de l'organe de glisse ou article de sport qui ne peut en théorie être obtenu que par un "contact" permanent du pied avec celui-ci et n'est donc pas compatible avec un déroulement du pied,
• un ancrage suffisant de l'insert ou de l'axe d'articulation dans la semelle de façon à éviter un arrachement dudit axe ou insert lors de la pratique du sport.

The problem is in fact to find a compromise between several totally contradictory requirements, namely:

• maximum unrolling of the foot, necessary for obtaining a large impulse or amplitude of stride according to the sport practiced,
• optimum control and guidance of the sliding member or sporting item which can in theory only be obtained by permanent "contact" of the foot with the latter and is therefore not compatible with unrolling of the foot,
• sufficient anchoring of the insert or the hinge pin in the sole so as to avoid tearing of said pin or insert when practicing sport.

This problem has been partially resolved in FR 2 739 788 which provides a set shoe / device for attaching a shoe to a sports article in which the shoe has two anchoring means constituted by transverse axes arranged, one at the front of the shoe, and the other substantially at the level of the zone metatarsophalangeal joint, and in which the fixation device is designed to allow the shoe to rotate around the first axis anchoring and to exercise a permanent elastic return on the second anchoring axis in direction of the sports article.

Thus, the fact of providing elastic return means of the shoe towards the sporting article, not at the front thereof as in the known devices so far but at the rear of the means for fixing said shoe, allows to have control of the shoe relative to the sliding member even when the shoe is raised.

Such a shoe / binding system therefore makes it possible to reconcile the problems of lifting and control / guidance of the shoe relative to the sporting article, and therefore in principle allows an optimum unfolding of the foot.

However, such an unwinding of the foot, especially in the final pivoting phase around the metatarsophalangeal joint, can only be obtained with a particularly flexible shoe throughout the front area of said shoe.

Such a requirement for flexibility is difficult to reconcile with anchoring axes of rotation or of connecting means or inserts arranged precisely in this zone.

Indeed, the anchoring techniques known for example from FR 2 533 421, the WO 88/05271 or FR 2 645 038 all use an insert, either of material hard plastic, either metallic, extending in a substantially horizontal plane in longitudinal direction of the sole and correspondingly stiffening the latter.

In the case of US 4,872,272 the articulation axis is constituted by the branch transverse of a U-shaped loop, the lateral branches of which also extend deep inside the sole in longitudinal direction and prevent therefore any bending at the level of said lateral branches. The constraint of anchoring correct the insert or axis of rotation is larger as the material constituting the sole is soft and that the forces exerted on the insert or axis during sports are important.

The object of the present invention is therefore to remedy the above drawbacks and to propose a sole construction allowing to preserve a maximum of flexibility in the front area thereof while allowing the desired anchoring of the or hinge pins or other connecting means, even when the sole is in one relatively soft material.

This object is achieved in the sole according to the invention which is of the type comprising at minus a transverse connecting means, by the fact that each connecting means includes anchoring means inside the sole arranged in a plane essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sole.

Thus, the anchoring is carried out essentially in a vertical plane of the shoe, and no longer in an essentially horizontal plane thereof, which makes it possible to guarantee a possibility of flexing of said sole over a greater length, on either side of each anchor point and therefore increase the overall flexibility of without sacrificing anchoring capacity.

If two or more connecting means are provided, the anchors of each connection means are independent, which guarantees a possibility bending the sole between two successive connecting means.

Advantageously also, a cut which is oriented essentially vertically is associated with each connecting means, so as to guarantee a possibility of bending of the sole immediately behind and / or in front of said axis.

La figure 1 est une vue de dessous d'une semelle selon l'invention.

La figure 2 est une vue en coupe longitudinale selon II-II de la figure 1.

La figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon III-III de la figure 2.

La figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon IV-IV de la figure 3.

La figure 5 est une vue en coupe selon V-V de la figure 3

La figure 6 est une vue en coupe selon VI-VI de la figure 2.

La figure 7 est une vue en coupe selon VII-VII de la figure 6.

La figure 8 est une vue en coupe similaire à la figure 3 d'un ancrage selon un autre mode de réalisation.

La figure 9 est une vue en coupe selon IX-IX de la figure 8.

La figure 10 est, à échelle agrandie, une vue de détail de la figure 8.

La figure 11 est une vue en coupe longitudinale d'une chaussure équipée d'inserts selon un autre mode de réalisation d'ancrage.

La figure 12 est une vue en coupe selon XII-XII de la figure 11.

La figure 13 est une vue en perspective de l'insert des figures 11 et 12.

La figure 14 est une vue similaire à la figure 12 d'un ancrage selon un autre mode de réalisation.

La figure 15 est une vue en coupe selon XV-XV de la figure 14.

In any case, the invention will be better understood and other characteristics of it will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows.

Figure 1 is a bottom view of a sole according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in longitudinal section along II-II of FIG. 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional view along III-III of Figure 2.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along IV-IV of FIG. 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view along VV of Figure 3

FIG. 6 is a sectional view along VI-VI of FIG. 2.

Figure 7 is a sectional view along VII-VII of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view similar to Figure 3 of an anchor according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view along IX-IX of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is, on an enlarged scale, a detailed view of FIG. 8.

Figure 11 is a longitudinal sectional view of a shoe fitted with inserts according to another embodiment of anchoring.

Figure 12 is a sectional view along XII-XII of Figure 11.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the insert of FIGS. 11 and 12.

Figure 14 is a view similar to Figure 12 of an anchor according to another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view along XV-XV of FIG. 14.

As shown more particularly in Figures 1 and 2, the sole 1 according to the invention comprises a guide groove 3 of progressive cross section arranged along the longitudinal axis 2 of said sole, and receiving two connecting axes respectively front 10 and rear 20 anchored independently of each other. Well heard any form of cross section of the edge 3 is possible.

The first connecting axis 10 is disposed substantially at the end front of the sole, while the second connecting axis 20 is disposed further back substantially at the level of the metatarsophalangeal articulation zone or in front of it.

The guide groove 3 is bordered laterally by two flanges 4 of section substantially rectangular projecting downward from the bottom 5 of the sole which also defines the bottom of groove 3.

Flexion slots 6, 7, 8, 9 respectively are provided in the flanges 4 to the rear and / or the front of each connecting axis 10, 20, as will be explained further.

As shown more particularly in Figures 3 to 7, each connecting axis 10, 20, is constituted by a substantially U-shaped loop comprising a transverse branch 11, 21, and two lateral branches 12, 22, extending substantially perpendicular to said transverse branch 11, 21. Each lateral branch 12, 22, is anchored in one of the lateral flanges 4 of the guide groove 3 (cf. figures 3 and 6).

Each transverse branch 11, 21 therefore extends inside the groove of guide 3 in a horizontal transverse direction perpendicular to the axis longitudinal 2 of the sole.

Likewise, each lateral branch 12, 22 extends along a plane essentially vertical of the sole. As particularly shown in Figures 4 and 7, the axis longitudinal 11a, 21a, of each transverse loop 11, 21, is contained in the same vertical plane that the longitudinal axes 12a, 22a, respectively, of the branches side 12, 22.

Thus, the anchoring means 12, 22, of each axis 10, 20, are arranged in a plane essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sole.

Furthermore, each lateral branch 12, 22, is provided with an end 13, 23, curved in a direction 13a, 23a, substantially horizontal and parallel to the transverse branch 11, 21, of each connecting means.

In the case of the connecting axis 20, the longitudinal axes 22a, 23a, of each lateral branch 22 and its curved end 23 are contained in the same vertical plane as the longitudinal axis 21a of the transverse loop 21 (cf. Figure 7).

Thus, the axis 21 and its anchoring means 22, 23, are essentially contained in the same vertical plane of the sole and has no extension in direction longitudinal of the sole, except for the thickness of the buckle itself. Such Anchoring minimizes interference with flexing of the sole.

In the case of axis 11, on which the maximum bonding forces are exerted, the curved ends 13 are connected to the associated lateral branches 12 by a substantially horizontal part 14, extending along the longitudinal axis of the sole.

Such a construction makes it possible to optimize the anchoring while limiting to the minimum the extension in the longitudinal direction of the branches 12, 13, 14, of the axis.

Thus, in both cases, a possibility of maximum flexion of the sole is preserved. This possibility of bending is further optimized by the fact that the axes 10, 20, are anchored separately.

Finally, the bending slots are associated 6, 7, 8, 9, with each connecting axis 10, 20, and also help optimize flexion.

The slot 6 is a transverse slot arranged just behind the ends bent 13 of the anchor branches of the axis 10.

The slot 7 is also a transverse slot arranged just in front of the axis of link 20.

Finally, the slots 8, 9 are also substantially transverse slots arranged behind the connecting axis 20.

The slot 9 is also slightly inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 3 of the shoe, and in a direction corresponding substantially to the articulation metatarsophalangeal.

In all cases, the slots 6, 7, 8, 9, extend right through the entire width side flanges 4.

As will be easily understood, the association of axes 10, 20, anchored essentially vertically and transverse slits 6, 7, 8, 9, guarantee bending maximum of the sole.

Figures 8 to 10 show in section a second embodiment of the invention intended to allow anchoring in a thickness E of the sole itself made of a particularly flexible material, such as natural rubber or crepe, and applicable to any of the anchoring means.

The connecting means 103 is, for cost reasons, preferably straight. Her section is circular and of the order of 4 mm in diameter in the embodiment shown, but it could be different. Going towards its ends, we find knurling 103a to improve its anchoring in the lateral edges 105 and 106 of the sole 101, then a shoulder 103b. These shouldered parts will receive the means additional anchor 111 in general U shape. The mounting of this means anchoring on the connecting means 103-103b will be made by deformation of the U of the means anchor 111.

Preferably made of thin sheet metal, this anchoring means 111 has, at least in its horizontal part, a section of dimensions "l x e" (see Figure 9) suitable for ensuring two functions: ensure, thanks to the width "l", a good contact surface with the material of the sole 101 for working a large mass 109a, 109b, of the sole 101 and thanks to its thickness "e", a thickness sufficiently small to be properly embedded in the relatively small thickness E of the sole.

So, even made of a soft material and suitable for walking, the sole 101 will be able to withstand the constraints of the sports shoe / sports machine link and ensure solid embedding by means of connection 103.

Preferably, the width "l" of the anchoring means is small and this part is located at or above the neutral fiber N of the sole, so in a neutral zone or compression when it flexes, so as not to penalize flexibility longitudinal of the sole.

Finally this dimension "l" is also larger than the diameter D of the means of link 103 so as to allow the assembly and easy maintenance of the assembly connecting means / anchoring means in the mold of the sole for overmolding, and make it possible to increase the contact surface and therefore to improve the anchoring.

In this regard, it should be noted that if the sole 101 is to be overmolded on a rod shoe already comprising a first fitting 112, the anchoring means 111 could advantageously be fixed beforehand on this first assembly 112 by rivets or other equivalent means so as to further improve the anchoring.

Figures 11, 12, 13 show a third embodiment of the means anchor. This means 211 is folded in the shape of a "hinge" to surround the ends 203b of the connecting means 203. It extends in an essentially vertical plane in the thickness of the sole 201 to end with lugs 211a, 211b. The paws 211a will be oriented preferably towards the tip of the sole and will be short length (1/2) so as not to significantly alter the flexibility of the sole 201. The legs 211b will be connected by a blade 211c so as to obtain a manipulable block that can easily be positioned and held in the mold injection of the sole 201.

This blade 211c, preferably, will not have a longitudinal grip in the sole greater than legs 211a. In this case, the X dimension will be close to zero.

However, the sole 201 must above all bend over a distance FL illustrated by the Figure 11, corresponding substantially to the toe / meta distance. If the means of link 203 is placed at the forefoot or rear articulation, flexibility of the sole becomes less effective at the rear of this connecting means 203 and the dimension X could be more important to manage for example a kind of energization of this forefoot flexion.

Figures 14 and 15 show a third embodiment of the means anchoring associated with the connecting means.

In this case, the connecting means 303 is preferably bent so that its ends embedded in the zones 305 and 306 of the sole 301 move away from the surface walking 308 from the sole.

Before being overmolded in the sole 301, it is overmolded on the ends of this connecting means, parts 312, 313, preferably of the same material than the sole but higher modulus and hardness.

These parts, of reduced width "l" (cf. FIG. 15), to be compatible with a good longitudinal flexion of the sole 301, may advantageously include non-smooth faces 314 to improve adhesion with the sole.

As with the other embodiments described above, the aim is to transfer the stresses from the connecting means over a large area and thereby good "pressing force / pressed surface" ratio making constraints admissible applied to a sole 101, 201, 301, which is made of a material necessarily of low modulus for its walking qualities.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described by way of examples. It encompasses all equivalent embodiments for the resolution of the problem.

Thus, the connecting means could be other than a round wire.

The connection means / anchoring means assembly could, in addition to snap-fastening or overmolding described, be of the crimping, welding, etc. type.

Finally, the anchoring means itself could be composed of several parts with extensions in directions not specified here to achieve effects or additional functions in the behavior of the sole of the shoe sport.

It will also be noted that the vertical, horizontal directions given above get along with the longitudinal axis of the shoe supposed to be horizontal.

The present invention is also not limited to a cross-country ski application and it applies to all sports shoe soles for which similar or identical problems must be resolved.

It can in particular be applied to snowboard boots or shoes in-line skates intended to be removably attached to their sports equipment associated.

Claims (14)

Sports shoe sole comprising at least one connecting means (10, 20) to a sporting article along an axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shoe, this connecting means comprising means for anchoring in the sole, characterized in that the anchoring means (12, 22) are arranged in a plane essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (2) of the sole. Sole according to claim 1, characterized in that the anchoring means (11, 21) extend essentially along a vertical plane of the sole. Sole according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the means anchoring (12, 13, 14; 22, 23) of each connecting means (10, 20) are independent. Sole according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each connecting means (10, 20) defines an axis of articulation (11, 21). Sole according to claim 4, characterized in that each connecting means (10, 20) is constituted by a substantially U-shaped loop comprising a transverse branch (11, 21) defining the articulation axis and two lateral branches (12, 22), and in that each lateral branch (12, 22) is anchored in a direction substantially vertical inside the sole. Sole according to claim 5, characterized in that each lateral branch (12, 22) has a curved end (13, 23) in a direction substantially horizontal and parallel to the transverse branch (11, 21). Sole according to one of claims 5 or 6, characterized in that the axis longitudinal (21a) of the transverse branch (21) is contained in the same plane substantially vertical than the longitudinal axis (22a, 23a) of each lateral branch (22) and from each curved end (23). Sole according to claim 6, characterized in that the longitudinal axis (11a) of the transverse branch (11) is contained in a substantially vertical plane offset in the longitudinal direction relative to the plane containing the curved ends (13) lateral branches (12). Sole according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one bending slot (6, 7, 8, 9) substantially transverse is associated with each means of bond (10, 20). Sole according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one slit of flexion (9) extends in a direction substantially parallel to the joint metatarsophalangeal. Sole according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the sole has a central groove (3) arranged along its longitudinal axis (2), and in this that each connecting means (10, 20) is arranged inside the central groove. Sole according to claim 11, characterized in that the central groove (3) is bordered laterally by two flanges (4), and in that each anchoring means (12, 13, 14; 22, 23) is embedded in each flange (4). Sole according to claim 12, characterized in that each slot of bending (6, 7, 8, 9) extends over the entire width of each flange (4). Sports shoe characterized in that it comprises a sole according to one any of claims 1 to 13.

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