ITUA20164129A1 - SOLE FOR A FOOTWEAR WITH A PART TO SUPPORT THE FAST - Google Patents

Description

The object of the present invention is a sole for a shoe according to the precharacterizing part of the main claim.

Known soles have for some time been soles for footwear, and in particular for sports shoes; known soles have various technical problems: they are generally not easy and quick to manufacture since they provide numerous components which must be bound together, known soles are also relatively heavy and they are not always flexible enough.

A further problem related in particular to soles that have an open cavity in the heel part on the bottom of the shoe is linked to the fact that in particular conditions of use this part of the heel when it is heavily loaded is relatively rigid and does not guarantee a reliable and stable cushioning.

Analogous cushioning problems are found in known soles with reference to the area of the sole suitable for housing the phalanges and / or the plantar cushion. In known soles, the flexibility and cushioning capacity of the sole in these areas is not always sufficient.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a sole that overcomes the technical drawbacks reported above and that in particular is suitable for improving the comfort of those who use the sole at least in correspondence with the part of the sole capable of supporting the forefoot.

A further object is to provide a sole which has a reduced weight. A further object is to provide a sole which is simple and quick to manufacture and includes a limited number of components.

These and other objects which will appear evident to a person skilled in the art are achieved by a sole according to the characterizing part of the attached claims.

For a better understanding of the present invention, drawings are attached, by way of non-limiting example, in which:

fig. 1 shows a schematic perspective view from above of a first component of the sole according to the invention;

fig. 2 shows a schematic perspective view from below of the component of fig. 1,

fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective view from below of a second component of the sole according to the invention;

fig. 4 shows a schematic perspective view from below of a third component of the sole according to the invention;

figs. 5 and 6 show a schematic bottom view of a fourth and fifth component of the sole according to the invention;

fig. 7 shows a schematic perspective view from below of a sole according to the invention with all the components that compose it bound together,

fig. 8 shows a schematic view from above,

fig. 9 shows a schematic side view,

fig. 9A shows a schematic rear view,

fig. 10 shows a schematic sectional view taken along the line D-D of fig. 8 and showing a portion of the foot which acts on the sole, figs. 11-17 show perspective views of the sole taken from below, of seven variants of the embodiment of figures 1-9

In the present context, the spatial terms such as "vertical", "horizontal", "above", "below", "upper", "lower", "internal", "external", "from below", "above", are used to aid in the description of the invention and with reference to the orientation of the embodiments shown in the drawings. The terms "central" "lateral" "longitudinal" "transverse" are used in a common way for the expert in the sector.

With reference to figures 1-9 they show a first embodiment of a sole according to the invention comprising a structural element 10 which develops so as to support the entire foot and which acts as a support for all the components of the sole. This structural element 10 has a plurality of openings 2 (fig. 1), 20 A, 31 A-E, and seats 15, 1N, 1P, 1Q (fig. 2) and 1R (fig. 2) to which to constrain and / or to house: a bridge element 5 (fig. 3) and an air discharge element 4 (fig. 3) (able to be constrained in the seats 1N and 15, respectively), a shock-absorbing element 19 (fig. 4) adapted to be housed in the seat 1P (fig. 1) with the bearings 19A-E which penetrate the holes 31 A-E of the structural element 10, and two elements 13 (fig. 6) and 23 (fig. 5) able to act as outer sole and adapted to be constrained, respectively, in the seats 1Q and 1R (fig. 2) of the structural element 10.

Figures 7 - 9 show the complete sole with all the elements listed above.

The structural element 10 can be divided into a posterior region R1 (fig. 2) designed to support the heel, a central region R2 for the plantar arch and an anterior region R3 for the forefoot. In the following we will first illustrate the characteristics of the posterior regions R1 and central R2 and then those of the anterior region R3.

The structural element 10 in correspondence with its regions R1 and R2 suitable for supporting the heel and the plantar arch has a through opening 2 having an elongated ring shape, sized in such a way that said first element 10 in correspondence with its part rear supporting the heel has a U-shape and comprises (seen from below) two mutually opposite arms 1A and 1B (fig. 2 and 7) connected by an arched arm 1C forming a U or a horseshoe. The internal walls 1A '1B' 1C '(fig. 7) of the aforementioned arms of the U delimit this annular opening 2 together with a bottom wall 6A.

These arms 1A 1B 1C converge in a central part 6 of the first element 10 which provides the internal side wall 6A which laterally delimits the opening 2. This opening 2 advantageously has an annular shape closed laterally. For example, the opening 2 has an elongated teardrop shape with a larger part 2A (fig. 2) provided in the heel and a smaller part 2B, provided in correspondence with the most central part 6 of the element 10, and suitable for to support the arch of the foot. For example, the width L2 of this smallest part 2B of cavity 2 is between 10% and 70% of the maximum width L1 of the largest part 2A.

The opening 2 is advantageously open at the face of the sole designed to come into contact with the ground and at this face it provides a mouth 2C having the same dimensions as the opening itself.

The opening 2 extends for at least 50% of the part of the sole adapted to support the heel (this area has been indicated with a dashed line identified by the reference T in fig. (8), preferably for at least 60% of this area T and more preferably for at least 70% of this T zone.

The opening 2 is closed in correspondence with the upper face 10 A (fig. 7) of the element 10 by a bridge element 5 (fig. 3) comprising a substantially flat wall 5 A which has: an external perimeter section 5B adapted to be housed flush in a recessed seat 1 N provided in the upper face 1M (fig. 1) of the first element 10 of the sole, and a central stiffening section 5C (adapted to transversely stiffen the bridge element) having a greater thickness (e.g. for example a thickness 10% to 80% greater than the thickness of the outer perimeter section 5B) and having a shape such as to partially penetrate flush into the opening 2. The bridge element 5, through its perimeter section 5B, is rigidly constrained, for example by gluing (or in another usual way for those skilled in the art), to the recessed seat 1N of the element 10 so that these two elements form a single body.

The bridge element is shaped and sized so as to be substantially below the heel.

According to the invention, the bridge element 5 is made of a material having a higher hardness than the hardness of the material of the element 10 to which it is bound.

For example, the hardness of the bridge element 5 is from 10% to 200% greater than the hardness of the element 10, preferably it is from 30% to 100% greater and even more preferably from 50% to 80% greater.

With respect to the material of the element 10, when the bridge element 5 is constrained to the relative seat 1N provided in the element 10, the bridge element can be considered at least transversally a rigid and semi-rigid element (meaning by transverse the direction of the X axis of fig. 3). The bridge element 5 is for example made of TPU and / or a similar material. By way of example, the hardness of the material of the bridge element 5 and / or of the discharge element 4 (described in detail below) is between 65C and 100C, more preferably between 75C and 90C and even more preferably it is equal to about 85C

The element 10 is made of a more yielding and flexible material than that of the bridge element 5, for example in high density EVA, and / or in a similar material. By way of example, the hardness of the structural element 10 is between 40C and 70C, more preferably between 50C and 70C and even more preferably it is equal to about 60C,

Thanks to the transversal stiffness or semi-stiffness of the bridge element 5, when the force F1 (fig. 10) exerted by the heel acts on it, it does not flex or flexes only to a limited extent and is able to transmit this force F1 in a uniform manner along the perimeter of the recessed seat 1N of the element 10. Ultimately, the bridge element has the function of concentrating the force F1 exerted by the heel in a well-defined portion of the sole having a U-shape (more limited than traditional soles in which the the part that supports the heel is full and devoid of the through opening 2), eliminating or limiting the components of this force directed horizontally (as schematized in fig. 10).

Thanks to the bridge element, the sole in the heel has improved cushioning characteristics and greater stability.

Thanks to the high density of the material with which the element 10 is made, it can elastically absorb the high thrust concentrated by the bridge element 5.

As for the rigid or semi-rigid behavior of the bridge element, it must be considered with reference to its transverse axis, or the X axis represented in fig 3.

The elongated and teardrop shape of the opening 2 and the bridge element 5 that closes it has the advantage of increasing the flexibility of the sole as you move away from the heel and get closer to the foot arch.

The sole according to the invention also comprises an air discharge element 4 which can remain trapped in the cavity 20 (fig. 10) formed by the through opening 2 and by the bottom wall 5 when the part of the sole comprising this opening 2 and pressed against the ground P (fig. 10) effectively closing at least partially also below this cavity. Preferably the aforementioned cavity 20 is shaped so as to be a substantially closed cavity when the part of the sole capable of supporting the heel is pressed against the ground, the discharge element 4 allowing the air present in said cavity to flow outwards. .

It has been experimentally verified that the air that remains trapped in the cavity 20 can negatively affect the cushioning characteristics of the sole at the heel and that the provision of an exhaust element according to the invention solves this problem by improving these cushioning characteristics.

The discharge element 4 has a substantially rigid body which provides at least one and preferably two through holes 4A adapted to put the cavity 20 in communication with the outside of the sole and so as to be able to discharge the air in said cavity in correspondence of at least a portion 1C (Fig. 9A) of the outer side wall 1B of the element 10.

The unloading element 4 preferably provides an external arched wall 4C (fig. 9 A) and an internal arched wall 4B (fig. 3) adapted to be flush connected respectively: with a portion of the rear external arched side wall 1C (fig. 9A) of the element 10 of the sole and with an arched portion of the internal arched wall 1C '(fig. 2) which laterally delimits the through opening 2.

The discharge element 4 also has: an upper face 4D which is substantially flat and preferably also coplanar with the upper face 5F (fig. 8) of the bridge element 5, and a lower face 4E which is also preferably flat and parallel to the upper face 4D.

As shown in figure 1, the element 10 has a seat 15 suitable for housing flush (fig. 7-9) the body of the discharge element 4, the latter is rigidly constrained in this seat, for example by gluing or in a another conventional way for the skilled in the art.

The seat 15 for the unloading element is advantageously provided in the most extreme part of the element 10 or in the arched arm 1C of the U-shaped part and is symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal axis Y of the sole (fig. 8). Thanks to this particular positioning of the unloading element 4, the sole is balanced and in any case able to absorb the stresses to which it is subjected at the heel.

The exhaust element is a substantially rigid element, i.e. it is an element which, if subjected to the usual forces exerted by the heel on the sole, does not deform significantly so that the air passages 4 A are always open when the sole is subjected to the usual stresses. This result would not be achieved if the air discharge passages were provided directly in the U-shaped arms 1 A-C because these compressing under the action of the force exerted on the sole would close these passages.

Advantageously, the discharge element 4 and the bridge element 5 are made in a single piece, as shown in fig. 3 with the rear end part 5D (fig. 3) of the bridge element 5 constrained to the front part 4M of the element 4. Advantageously, the upper faces 4C and 5F of the two elements 4 and 5 are coplanar (fig. 8) with each other. so as to form a single flat support surface for the heel.

The connection between them of the two elements 4 and 5 further stiffens transversely the bridge element 5 at least in its rear part closest to the element 4.

The U-shaped arms 1A-C of the element 10, in correspondence with the face adapted to come into contact with the ground, have a recessed seat 1Q (fig.

2) suitable for housing an external sole 13 also in the shape of a U designed to increase the friction of the sole with the ground and ultimately improve the adhesion of the sole to the ground.

The material with which this outer sole is made is a conventional type material for this part of the sole, and is for example a rubber, this type of material has a relatively high specific weight which affects the overall weight of the sole itself. To limit the overall weight of the sole, according to the invention, the extension of this outer sole 13 is shaped

of U is limited only to a portion P1 (fig. 2) of the U-shaped arms provided at the heel. Advantageously, a portion 31A 31B 31 C (fig. 2) of the lower face of the arms 1A, 1B, 1C closest to the opening 2, of the U-shaped part of the sole remains in view or is not covered by the outer sole 13 and a portion 31A 'and 31B' (fig. 2) closest to the part of the sole that supports the plantar arch, of the mutually opposite arms 1A and 1B of the U is not covered at all by the outer sole 13. According to the invention the outer sole covers only an area between 30% and 70% of the face of the U-shaped arms 1A-B facing the ground.

Advantageously, to improve grip, the outer sole 13 has a conformation with reliefs and recesses.

Advantageously, the outer sole 13 has side portions 13 A-B (fig. 9 and 9A) which partly extend also along the rear side walls 1C and 1B of the sole.

The outer sole 13 being housed in a recessed seat 1Q provided in the U-shaped arms of the element 10 is at the same height or protrudes slightly (for example 1 or 2 mm) with respect to the U-shaped face facing the ground. The outer sole is made of a material usual for the skilled in the art for making these outer soles, for example a wear-resistant polymer or elastomer, natural or synthetic rubber, TPU, nylon or other polymer blends which include TPU and / or nylon or other materials to guarantee the functional requirements.

Preferably the hardness of the material with which the outer sole is made is between 50C and 90C, more preferably between 60C and 80C and even more preferably it is equal to about 70C (measured with a manual hardness tester type LX, scale: Shore C) .

According to an embodiment, the element 10 in correspondence with the plantar arch has a plurality (for example 3) of transverse through slits 16 (fig. 2) which entirely cross the arms 1A and 1B of the U-shaped part of the element 10 of the sole, in correspondence with its lower face. These slits are designed to improve the flexibility of the sole. These 16 slits are not essential.

In the forefoot region R3 (fig. 2) the structural element 10 has five through openings 31A-E suitable for allowing the five bearings 19A-E of the shock-absorbing element 19 to be inserted in the openings themselves. The bearings 19A-E have their slightly rounded and slightly protruding outermost face (for example protruding between 0.1 mm and 2 mm) from the face which remains in view of the element 10 having the openings 31A-E. The shape, size and positioning of the pads 19 A-E is substantially similar to that of the four digital pads (also called fingertips) and of the metacarpal pad present in felines and in particular of large felines such as cheetahs.

The function of the pads 19 A-E is the same as the corresponding pads present in felines, that is to absorb shocks, both with regard to the metatarsal area of the foot and with regard to the phalanges.

The opening 31A and the relative larger pad 19 A are provided in the area of the sole designed to support the anterior metatrsial part of the sole of the foot or the plantar pad of the foot.

The opening 31A and the relative bearing 19 A of larger dimensions have a polygonal shape, for example pentagonal with arched sides, and have two converging front sides 22 A 22B and forming an angle K1 between 80 and 140 °, more preferably between 90 ° and 130 °, and two rear sides 22C 22 D forming an angle K2 comprised between 90 ° and 20 ° and more preferably comprised between 70 ° and 30 °. And an arched rear extremity side 22E with concavity facing the rear part of the sole.

The four openings 31B-E and the relative smaller bearings 19B-E are provided in the area of the sole suitable for supporting the phalanges. More specifically, the four openings 31B-E and the relative bearings 19B-E all have an annular shape.

The two larger openings and annular bearings 31C-D 19D-C are provided at the front end of the sole, one on the right and one on the left of an axis of symmetry V (fig. 2) of this front part of the sole, have a substantially elliptical shape in plan, with the major axes E1 and E2 (fig. 2) of these bearings 19C and 19D or apertures 31 C 31 D inclined with respect to the aforementioned V axis (so as to form angles between 45 ° and 5 °).

The two openings and bearings 31B, E 19B., E of smaller dimensions are provided in correspondence with an intermediate part of the front part of the sole one on the right and one on the left of an axis of symmetry V (fig. 2) of this part front of the sole, and are positioned between the two larger annular bearings 31C-D and the metatarsal one 31A, have a substantially triangular (as shown) or elliptical shape in plan, with the major axes E3 and E3 (fig. 2) of these bearings 19B and 19E or apertures 31B 31E inclined with respect to the aforementioned axis V (so as to form, for example, angles comprised between 45 ° and 5 °).

As shown in figure 4, the bearings 19A-E depart from a substantially flat body 19F which together with the bearings forms the shock-absorbing element 19. This flat body 19F is able to house flush and be rigidly constrained (for example by gluing or by other usual techniques for those skilled in the art) in the seat 1P (fig. 1) of the structural element 10. This seat 1P and the flat part 19F of the shock-absorbing element are shaped so that each of the bearings 19A-E is entirely surrounded by a flat portion of the flat part 19F so that the bearings are firmly constrained to the upper face 1K (fig. 1) of the front part of the structural element 10. shaped so that

Advantageously, the flat part 19F of the shock-absorbing element 19 and the relative seat 1P are sized and shaped so that the upper face 19H (fig. 8) which remains in view of the shock-absorbing element 19 is substantially flush and forms a single surface with the adjacent surfaces 10 A (fig. 8) of the structural element 10 and with that 5F of the bridge element 5 ..

It should be emphasized that advantageously the flat part 19F of the shock-absorbing element is shaped and sized so as to extend substantially throughout the forefoot region of the sole (as visible in fig. 8). In this way, the sole has in the forefoot region a shock-absorbing layer formed by the thickness of the flat part 19F of the shock-absorbing element. This flat part has, for example, a thickness of between 0.1mm and 10mm, more preferably between 0.1mm and 5mm, and even more preferably of between 0.1mm and 2mm.

As can be seen in Figure 4, the bearings depart from the internal face 19G of the flat wall with side walls 19A'-E 'substantially perpendicular to said face 19G and sized so that the upper face which remains in view of the bearings protrudes slightly (for example protrudes between 0.1mm and 2mm) from the openings 31A-E of the support element 10 and also from the outer sole 23 surrounding these pads.

According to the invention, the material with which the shock-absorbing element is made is less dense and more yielding and shock-absorbing than the material with which the structural element 10 is made.

According to the invention, the density of the material of the structural element 10 can be greater than the density of the material of the damping element by at least about 5%, or 10%, or 15%, or 20%, or 25%. , or 30%, or 35%, or 40%, or 45%, or 50%, or 100%, or 150% or 200% or more.

For example, the material density of the structural member 10 is a high density and is between 1 pound per cubic foot and 20 pounds per cubic foot, preferably between 2 pounds per cubic foot and 12 pounds per cubic foot, or even more preferably between 10 and 13 pounds per cubic foot. In general, the higher density of the structural element material allows for the creation of a more rigid and structurally stable element than the material with a lower density of the shock absorbing element. Advantageously, also the hardness of the material of the structural element 10 is greater than the hardness of the material of the shock-absorbing element, preferably it is between 5% and 100% greater, and more preferably it is greater between 10% and 50% and again more preferably between 15% and 30%.

For example, the hardness of the material of the structural element 10 is between 40C and 70C, more preferably between 50C and 70C and even more preferably it is equal to about 60C (measured with a manual durometer type LX, scale: Shore C).

For example, the hardness of the material of the shock-absorbing element 19 is between 40C and 60C and preferably is equal to about 50C (measured with a manual durometer type LX, scale: Shore C).

Advantageously, the element 10 is made of EVA or high-density polyurethane, or in a similar material and / or in a similar material.

In correspondence with the front region R3 (fig. 2) of the face facing the ground of the structural element 10 there is a front outer sole 23 (fig. 5). This front outer sole 23 has the same thickness and is made of the same material as the rear outer sole 13 previously described.

Preferably, the outer sole 23 has a V-shape and is adapted to be associated only with the most extreme and lateral part of the anterior region of the shoe sole or not also in the part of the plantar cushion.

The outer sole has four through openings 23 A-D having the same dimensions and positions as the openings 31B-E (fig. 2) of the structural element 10; in this way the outer sole 23 completely surrounds all the bearings 19 B-E (as shown in fig. 7). These pads protrude slightly (by a value between 0.1mm and 2mm) from the outer surface of the sole 23.

The outer sole has a substantially V or U shape with the two arms 23E and 23 F of the V shaped so as to each comprise one of the smaller openings 23A and 23D and the base 23G of the V which includes the other two openings 23B and 23C.

As usual, the sole has an offshoot 23F capable of extending upwards so as to form an upward curved end of the sole on the front tip of the sole

Advantageously, to improve the flexibility of the extremal part of the forefoot, the outer sole 23 has a central through slot 23 H (fig. 5) provided between the two openings 23 B and 23 C and further weakened portions 23M provided between the openings 23C and 23D and between openings 23B and 23A and upstream of openings 23 C and 23B.

As in the case of the rear outer sole 13, the front sole 23 also has a very reduced extension so as to limit the weight of the sole as much as possible.

In fact, the entire region of the sole designed to support the plantar arch, an extended heel area and the entire plantar pad area are devoid of an outer sole. The outer sole with its two parts 13 and 23 overall covers only an area between 30% and 70% of the total area of the sole facing the ground, more preferably only an area between 40% and the 60% and even more preferably a zone of about 50%.

It should be emphasized that the presence of the large opening 2, among other advantages, also has that of allowing to avoid the presence of a large area of the outer sole, this positively affecting both the overall weight of the sole and the amount of material necessary for the realization of the sole itself

The outer sole 23 is able to be inserted and constrained in the recessed seat 1R (fig. 2) provided in the face which remains in view of the structural element 10, for example the outer sole 23 is glued (or constrained in another type usual for the skilled in the art) to said site.

The sole according to the invention is particularly simple to make as it comprises only five components which are easy to make and simple and quick to assemble: the structural element 10, the component which in a single body groups both the bridge element 5 and the the air discharge element 4, the shock-absorbing element 19 which in a single body groups the five bearings 19A-E, and the rear 13 and front 23 outer soles.

As usual for soles of the type described up to now, the sole also has usual side walls 25A, 25C (fig. 1) and rear walls 25B of conventional shape for those skilled in the art which branch laterally from the upper face S (fig. 8) of the structural element 10 and which are able to be constrained together with said upper face of the sole to the upper (not shown) of a shoe.

According to the invention, the sole could also be made with:

- a part of the forefoot of the conventional type and only with the rear part comprising the characteristics illustrated up to now;

- or vice versa, the sole could be made with a rear part of the conventional type and only with the forefoot part comprising the characteristics illustrated so far,

- or the sole could have two distinct parts: one designed to support the heel and one designed to support the forefoot (separated and distinct from each other by a portion of the bottom of the upper to which said two parts are bound), and these two parts could be shaped either with both the heel part and the forefoot part having the previously described characteristics or only with the heel part having said characteristics or only with the forefoot part having said characteristics.

Figure 11 shows a first variant of the invention, the elements of this variant in common with the previously illustrated embodiment will not be further described and will be indicated with the same numbering used to describe the embodiment of figures 1-9 increased by 100. The sole according to the variant of fig. 11 has a structural element 110, formed by one or more layers of plastic materials of the same or different type, which in correspondence at least with the heel area has an opening 102 closed by a wall 105 '(or by a bridge element 105 of the same type described above) and comprising an air discharge element 104 which can remain trapped in the cavity defined by the walls delimiting the opening 102 and by the closing wall 105 '. The forefoot part R3 of the sole is of the conventional type and is therefore not described in detail

Fig. 12 shows a second variant of the invention in which a sole is shown in which the part Z1 for the heel and that Z1 for the forefoot are distinct and separate parts and in which the sole has no central area suitable for supporting the arch of the foot. This type of soles are usual for the skilled in the art and the two parts Z1 and Z3 are bonded in a conventional way (for example by gluing) to the bottom F of the upper T; a portion C of the bottom F of the upper is provided between the heel part Z1 and the forefoot part Z3 of the sole. According to the embodiment of fig. 12 the part Z1 of the sole provided in correspondence with the heel has a structural element 210, formed by one or more layers of plastic materials of the same or different type, which in correspondence at least with the heel area has an opening 202 closed by a wall 205 '(or by a bridge element 205 of the same type described above) and comprising an air exhaust element 204 which can remain trapped in the cavity defined by the walls delimiting the opening 202 and by the closing wall 205'. The forefoot part Z3 of the sole is of the conventional type and is therefore not described in detail

As usual for those skilled in the art, the two parts Z1 and Z3 of the sole can be connected to each other by a bridge element J (dashed in fig. 12) preferably of limited thickness, for example a lamina in plastic material, suitable for stiffening the 'plantar arch; this bridge element J can be, for example, an extension of the bridge element 205 which closes the opening 202.

This sole has improved longitudinal flexibility.

The embodiment of fig. 13 shows a variant with respect to the embodiment of fig. 12, in which the opening 302 provides in addition to the element 304 for the exhaust of the air from the rear 301C of the sole also a further front opening W to allow the air to be discharged also from the front (as indicated by the arrow S1). The need for the rear air exhaust element 304 in this variant is linked to the fact that it may happen that the front opening W is not sufficient to discharge the air present in the opening 302, for example because this opening is totally or partially closed due to the compression of the sole and / or due to the accumulation of material that obstructs it. Thanks to the presence of the discharge element 304 there is a more reliable and safe outflow of air from opening 2.

The embodiment of figure 14 shows a further variant of the invention, the elements of this variant in common with the embodiment of figures 1-9 will not be further described and will be indicated with the same numbering used to describe the embodiment of which in figures 1-9 increased by 400. The sole according to the variant of fig. 14 has a structural element 410, formed by one or more layers of plastic materials of the same or different type, which in correspondence with the forefoot area R3 has five through openings from which five bearings 419 A-E protrude, and an outer sole 423 also it has five openings in correspondence with bearings 419 A-E. This forefoot portion is identical to that described with reference to Figures 1-9. The part of the heel R1 and the arch of the sole R2 are of the conventional type and will therefore not be described in detail.

This sole has a forefoot part with better cushioning performance.

In fig. 15 illustrates a further variant of the invention in which a sole is shown in which the part Z1 'for the heel and that Z3' for the forefoot are distinct and separate parts and in which the sole has no central area adapted to support the plantar arch. This type of soles are usual for those skilled in the art and the two parts Z1 'and Z3' are bonded in a conventional way (for example by gluing) to the bottom F of the upper T. Between the heel part Z1 and the forefoot part Z3 of the sole there is a section C of the bottom F of the upper. According to the embodiment of fig.

15 the part Z3 'of the sole provided at the forefoot has five through openings from which five bearings 519 A-E protrude, and an outer sole 523 which also has five openings at the bearings 519 A-E. This forefoot portion is identical to that described with reference to Figures 1-9. The heel part Z1 'of the sole is of a conventional type and is therefore not described in detail.

This sole has improved longitudinal flexibility.

As usual for the skilled in the art, the two parts Z1 'and Z3' of the sole can be connected to each other by a bridge element J (dashed in fig.

15) designed to stiffen the arch of the foot.

In fig. 16 illustrates a further variant of the invention in which a sole is shown in which the part Z1 '' for the heel and the part Z3 '' for the forefoot are distinct and separate parts and in which the sole is devoid of a central area designed to support the plantar arch. This type of soles are usual for the skilled in the art and the two parts Z1 '' and Z3 '' are bound in a conventional way (for example by gluing) to the bottom of an upper (not shown). Between the heel part Z1 '' and the forefoot part Z3 '' of the sole there is a section (not shown) of the bottom of the upper. According to the embodiment of fig. 16 the part Z3 '' of the sole provided at the forefoot has five through openings from which five bearings 619 A-E protrude, and an outer sole 623 which also has five openings at the bearings 619 A-E. This forefoot portion is identical to that described with reference to Figures 1-9. The part of the heel Z1 '' has a structural element 610, formed by one or more layers of plastic materials of the same or different type, which in correspondence at least with the heel area has an opening 602 closed by a bridge element 605 of the same type described above (or from a wall) and comprising an air discharge element 604 which can remain trapped in the cavity defined by the walls delimiting the opening 602 and the bridge element 605. The ends of the two opposite arms 601a and 601B are connected by a part 606 whose inner wall 606 A delimits the opening 602.

This sole has improved longitudinal flexibility.

As usual for the skilled in the art, the two parts Z1 '' and Z3 '' of the sole can be connected to each other by a bridge element J (dashed in fig.

15) designed to stiffen the arch and advantageously in one piece with the bridge element 605.

Figure 17 shows a further variant substantially identical to that of fig. 16 in which, however, the forefoot part is divided into two distinct parts K2 and K3, each constrained to the bottom of the upper of the shoe to which the sole is applied. The sole is therefore made up of three distinct parts: one for the K3 phalanges, one for the K2 plantar pad and one for the K1 heel. Obviously the damping element comprising the bearings 719 A-E, according to this variant would be divided into two parts: one for the bearing 719A and one with the four bearings 719B-E, the same also applies to the support element which is divided into three set off.

This sole would have improved longitudinal flexibility.

As for the previous embodiments, the bridge element 705 could provide an extension J to connect the parts K1 and K2 together

Finally, we want to reiterate that the embodiments illustrated up to now have been provided by way of example and that numerous further variants are possible, all of which are within the same inventive concept. Thus, for example, the extension of opening 2 (fig. 1-9) could be different. This opening 2 could, for example, have a shorter overall length so as to extend only at the heel (as shown in fig. 17) and not even below all or part of the plantar arch. Similarly, the bridge element could have a different shape from the one illustrated so far, this bridge element could, for example, be a single wall with the side walls 1A ', 1B', 1C ', 6A which define the opening 2.

Claims (3)

CLAIMS 1) Sole for a shoe, comprising a structural element 10 which provides at least one part R3 suitable to support the forefoot, characterized by the fact of comprising at least five seats 31A-E suitable for housing in each of them a cushioning pad 19A-E , - in which said bearings 19A-E have their outermost face shaped and dimensioned so as to come into contact with the ground, - a first bearing of said five bearings being provided in the area of the structural element 10 adapted to support the part anterior metatrsial of the sole of the foot or the plantar pad of the foot, said first pad having larger dimensions than the other four pads, - the other four pads being provided in the area of the structural element 10 suitable for supporting the phalanges; - preferably said four bearings having an annular shape in plan - of these four bearings, a second 19C and a third 19D bearing are provided at the front end of the structural element 10 one on the right and one on the left of an axis of symmetry V of this front end part of the structural element 10, - of these four bearings, a fourth 19B and a fifth 19E bearing are provided in correspondence with an intermediate part of the front part of the structural element 10, one to the right and one to the left of said axis of symmetry V of this front part of the structural element 10, and are positioned between said second bearing 19C and third bearing 19D and said first bearing 19A, - said pads being shaped and positioned substantially similar to that of the four digital pads and the metacarpal pad present in the front legs of felines - said pads being able to cushion shocks, both with regard to the metatarsal area of the foot and with regard to the phalanges. 2) Sole according to claim 1 characterized by the fact that the seats of the structural element 10 for the bearings 19 A-E are through openings 31 A-E having a plan complementary to that of the relative bearings which penetrate said openings, and that the bearings 19 A-E pass through through said openings 31 A-E. 3) Sole according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a shock-absorbing element 19 having a substantially flat base body 19F, from whose lower face the bearings 19 A-E branch off, - in which preferably the structural element 10 provides at its upper face S a seat 1P suitable for housing said base body 19F of the shock-absorbing element 19, - preferably said flat body 19F of the shock-absorbing element 19 and the relative seat 1P are sized and shaped so that the upper face 19H which remains in view of said base body 19F of the shock-absorbing element 19 is substantially flush and forms a single surface with the adjacent surfaces 10 A of the structural element 10 provided in correspondence with said forefoot part, and even more preferably also with that 5F of a bridge element 5 provided in the structural element 10 in correspondence with the heel and / or the 'arch of the foot, - preferably the base body 19F of the shock-absorbing element is shaped and sized so as to extend substantially throughout the forefoot region of the sole 4) Sole according to one of the preceding claims characterized by the fact that the first pad 19 A of larger dimensions has a polygonal shape, preferably irregular pentagonal with arched sides, and has two converging front sides 22 A, 22B, forming an angle K1 between 80 and 140 °, more preferably between 90 ° and 130 °, and two rear sides 22C, 22 D forming an angle K2 between 90 ° and 20 ° and more preferably between 70 ° and 30 °, and an arched rear extremal side with concavity facing the rear of the sole. 5) Sole according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the four bearings 19B-E provided in the area of the sole adapted to support the phalanges; the second 19C and the third 19D bearing provided at the front end of the structural element 10 have larger dimensions than the other two bearings 19 B 19 E of the quartet, - preferably the area of the larger bearings being between 5% and 70% greater, more preferably between 10% and 50% even more preferably between 20% and 30%; - preferably the bearings 19C and 19D of larger dimensions have a substantially elliptical shape in plan, more preferably with the major axes E1 and E2 of these bearings 19C and 19D inclined with respect to the V axis of this front end part of the sole so as to form a example angles between 45 ° and 5 °; - preferably the fourth bearing 19B and the fifth bearing 19E have a substantially triangular or elliptical shape in plan, more preferably with the major axes or sides E3 and E3 of these bearings 19B and 19E inclined with respect to the aforementioned axis V, so as to form angles, for example between 45 ° and 5 °. 6) Sole according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the material of the bearings 19 A-E is less dense and more yielding and shock-absorbing than the material of which the structural element 10 is made, - preferably the density of the material of the structural element 10 is greater than the density of the cushioning element material by at least about 5%, or 10%, or 15%, or 20%, or 25%, or 30%, or 35%, or 40% , or 45%, or 50%, or 100%, or 150% or 200%, - wherein preferably the material density of the structural member 10 is a high density and is between 1 pound per cubic foot and 20 pounds per cubic foot, preferably between 2 pounds per cubic foot and 12 pounds per cubic foot, or even more preferably between 10 and 13 pounds per cubic foot. 7) Sole according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that the hardness of the material of the structural element 10 is greater than the hardness of the material of the shock-absorbing element, preferably it is between 5% and 100% greater, and more preferably it is greater between 10% and 50% and even more preferably between 15% and 30%, - preferably the hardness of the material of the structural element 10 is between 40C and 70C, more preferably between 50C and 70C and even more preferably it is equal to about 60C - preferably the hardness of the material of the shock-absorbing element 19 is between 40C and 60C and preferably is equal to about 50C. 8) Sole according to one of the preceding claims characterized by the fact that the bearings 19A-E have their outermost face adapted to come into contact with the ground, slightly rounded and / or slightly protruding with respect to the portions of the forefoot part of the sole immediately adjacent to said bearings and adapted to come into contact with the ground, preferably said outer faces of the bearings projecting between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, more preferably between 0.1 mm and 2 mm. 9) Sole according to one of the preceding claims characterized in that in correspondence with the front region R3 of the face facing the ground of the structural element 10 there is a front outer sole 23, which provides four through openings 23 A-D having the same dimensions as the quartet of bearings 19B-E positioned at the phalanges and relative seats 31 B-E for these bearings of the structural element 10; in this way the outer sole 23 completely surrounds each of said four bearings 19 B-E, - preferably the outer sole 23 has a V-shape and is adapted to be associated only with the most extreme and lateral part of the anterior region of the structural element 10 or not even in the part of the plantar cushion, - preferably said four bearings 19B-E protrude slightly, for example by a value comprised between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, more preferably between 0.1 mm and 2 mm with respect to the external surface of the sole 23 immediately adjacent to said bearings, - preferably the outer sole has a substantially V-shape with the two arms 23E and 23 F of the V shaped so as to each comprise one of the smaller bearings 19E 19B and the base 23G of the V which includes the other two larger bearings 19D and 19C, - preferably the outer sole 23 to improve the flexibility of the extremal part of the forefoot has a central through slot 23 H provided between the most extreme pads 19D and 19C, and preferably also further weakened portions 23M provided between the more extremal pads 19 C 19 D and the other two bearings of the quartet 19E and 19B. 10) Sole according to one of the preceding claims characterized by the fact that the structural element 10 also provides a part R1 suitable to support the heel, in which said part suitable to support the heel has an opening 2 sized and shaped in such a way that said element structural 10, in correspondence with its part adapted to support the heel and its face adapted to come into contact with the ground P, has a U-shape and comprises two mutually opposite arms 1A, 1B connected by an arched arm 1C, - in which the internal walls 1A '1B' 1C 'of the aforementioned U arms at least partially delimit said opening 2, - in which said opening 2 is open at the face of the sole adapted to come into contact with the ground, - in which the opening 2 is closed at the upper face 10 A of the structural element 10 by a bridge element 5, so as to define with said internal walls 1A ', 1B', 1C ', a cavity 20, - in which said bridge element 5 is shaped and dimensioned so as to be substantially below the heel, - and that said sole comprises an air discharge element 4 which can remain trapped in said cavity 20 when the part of the sole comprising this opening 2 is pressed against the ground P, closing at least partially also below said cavity 20, - in which said discharge element 4 has a substantially rigid body which provides at least one through hole 4A adapted to put the cavity 20 in communication with the outside of the sole and in such a way as to be able to discharge the air has in said cavity in correspondence with at least a portion 1C of the external side walls 1B of the element 10, and that the structural element 10 has a seat 15 suitable for housing the body of the discharge element 4.