CA2041623A1 - Shoe and sole structure with fluid filled inserts - Google Patents
Shoe and sole structure with fluid filled insertsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2041623A1 CA2041623A1 CA 2041623 CA2041623A CA2041623A1 CA 2041623 A1 CA2041623 A1 CA 2041623A1 CA 2041623 CA2041623 CA 2041623 CA 2041623 A CA2041623 A CA 2041623A CA 2041623 A1 CA2041623 A1 CA 2041623A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- insert
- fluid
- outsole
- sole structure
- filled
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B1/00—Footwear characterised by the material
- A43B1/0072—Footwear characterised by the material made at least partially of transparent or translucent materials
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B13/00—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units
- A43B13/14—Soles; Sole-and-heel integral units characterised by the constructive form
- A43B13/18—Resilient soles
- A43B13/20—Pneumatic soles filled with a compressible fluid, e.g. air, gas
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B17/00—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined
- A43B17/02—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined wedge-like or resilient
- A43B17/03—Insoles for insertion, e.g. footbeds or inlays, for attachment to the shoe after the upper has been joined wedge-like or resilient filled with a gas, e.g. air
Landscapes
- Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
SHOE AND SOLE STRUCTURE WITH
FLUID FILLED INSERTS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A shoe is comprised of an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The sole structure has an outsole and a midsole. The outsole has an upper surface, a lower surface and sidewalls extending upwardly from at least a portion of the upper surface. The sidewalls and the portion of the outsole extending between the sidewalls are made of a clear material, and the midsole includes a fluid-filled insert, which is positioned in alignment with the clear material to provide visibility of the bottom and sides of the fluid-filled insert.
The fluid-filled insert is positioned by a series of longitudinally and transversely extending grooves formed in the upper surface of the outsole, with lands positioned between the transversely extending grooves which engage with corresponding recesses formed on the lower surface of the insert.
FLUID FILLED INSERTS
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A shoe is comprised of an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The sole structure has an outsole and a midsole. The outsole has an upper surface, a lower surface and sidewalls extending upwardly from at least a portion of the upper surface. The sidewalls and the portion of the outsole extending between the sidewalls are made of a clear material, and the midsole includes a fluid-filled insert, which is positioned in alignment with the clear material to provide visibility of the bottom and sides of the fluid-filled insert.
The fluid-filled insert is positioned by a series of longitudinally and transversely extending grooves formed in the upper surface of the outsole, with lands positioned between the transversely extending grooves which engage with corresponding recesses formed on the lower surface of the insert.
Description
' ~n!~
SHOE AND SOLE STP~UCTURE WITH
FLUID Fla LED INSERTS
TECHNICAL FELD
The present invention relates to shoes and more particularly to a sole struceure for shoes. The sole structure includes a fluid-filleci Insert secured within it in a manner which maximizes the effective-ness and visibility of the insert.
BACK(~ROUND OF THE INVENllON
The sole of a shoe must provide traction, protection, and a durable wear surface. The considerable rorces generated by running require that the sole o~ a runnlng shoe provlda enhanceci protection and shock al~;orption tor the foot and leg. It is also desirable to have enhanced protection and shock absorption for the foot and leg in all types oI footwear. Accordingly, the sole ot a running shoe typically includes several layet~s, including a resilient, sh~k absorbent material as a mi~sole and a ground contacting outer sole or outsole, which pro-vides both durability and traction. Thls is partlcularly true for train-ing or ~ogglng shoes designed to be used over long distances and over a long period of time. The sole also provides a broad, stable base to support the foot during ground contact.
The typlcal midsole uses one or more materials or components whlch affect the force oi' impact in two lmportant ways, i.e. through shock absorption and energy absorption. Shock absorption involves the attenuation of harmful impact forces. A mldsole with high shock absorbing characteristics thus can provide enhanced foot protection, assuming other factors such as stability are not compromised. Energy absorption is simply the general soaking up of both impact and useful propulsive forces. Thus, a midsole with high energy absorbing charac-teristics has relatively lower resillency, and generally does not return ' ' - 2 ~ 2 3 much of the energy placed into a midsole at foot impact. This results ln less efflciency in toot motion and a "(lat't ~eel. Conversely, a midsole wi th low energy absorblng characteristicS has relatively hlgher resillency, and generally returns rnore of the energy placed into a midsole at foot impact. The terms energy absorbing and shock absorbing have been used in the past without precise delineation between th~;e effects, i.e., at times referr~ng to one or the other o~
these effects and at other times referring to the combination o~ these effects. Since both of these effects relate to Independent actions of a midsole operating on the forces of foot Impact, the term lmpact response will be used herein to describe the cornbination of these effects; and the term cushion or cushioning will be use~ as a conve-nient way of describing the accomplishmene of these two effects by a sole unit or structure of the present invention.
It is desirable to design a sole unit with proper impact response wherein both adequate shock absorption and resiliency are taken into account. Fluid rilled inserts of the type disclosed in U.S. patent Nos~
4,183,156 and 4,219,945 to Marion F. Rudy provide a cushion~ng effect for the foot which is superior to foamed polymeric materials that have been used in the past as cushioning maferials. The inserts dis-closed in the '156 and ~945 patents provide an appropriate balance o~
shock absorption and resillency. Another advantage o~ these Inserts is that they exhibit good hysteresis, i.e., can be deformed and still come back to their original shape. Even though the deforming o~ the insert occurs repeatedly, the insert will still return to its original shape.
This is superior to foamed polymeric materials such as poly lrethane (PU) and ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) foams, as well as solid plastics such as HYTREL~, which are currently used in athletic sh~es, since these materials rnay not return to their original shape after prolonged com-pressive use.
The sole structure in the '156 and 1945 patents forms a fluid-filled insert or insoie barrier member o~ an elastomer material having a multiplicity of pre~erably intercommunicating, ~luid-containing chambers inflated to a relatively high pressure by a gas having a low diIfusion rate through the elastomer material, the gas being supplemented by ambient air diffuslng through the elastomer materlal into the c~ambers to increase the pressure therein, the pressure remalning at or above its initial value over a period of years. The fluid-fillecl insert is incorporated into the insole struc ture, in the '156 patent, by placement within a cavity below the upper, e.g. on top of a midsole layer and within sides of the upper or mic}~,ole layer. A venti-latecl moderator ~ormed of a sheet OI seml-flexlble material is placed over the fluid-filled insert.
A clifferent technigue is used ln the ~945 patent for incorporat-ing the fluid-fillec~ insert into the shoe. In this patent, the insert is encapsulated within a yieldable foam material, which functions as a bridging moc~erator filling in irregularities of the insert, providing a substantially smooth and contourecl surface for supporting the fc~ot and forming an easily handled structure for attachment of an upper.
The encapsu~ating foam material also functions to hold the fluicl-filled insert in posltlon with the mldsole. When the insert ls use~ in combi-nation with an encapsulating foam, the lmpact response characteris-tlcs of the sole structure tormed by the combination is determlned or set by the comblned efrects of the two elements. Factors such as the relative volume of the two elements, the type and density of foam material used, and the pressure of the gas contained in the insert, varies the amount each element contributes to the impact response function of the sole structure.
Parker et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,817,304, discloses a shoe which uses the combination of a fluid-filled inser~ and encapsulating foam material, as disclosed in the 1945 Rudy patent, but which provides a mechanism rOr adjusting the impact response or this combinat~on.
The ad~ustment mechanism includes a gap Iormed on at least one side o~ the insert to allow the fluid-filled lnsert to expand. This expansion allows the effect of the Inser~ to dominate the impact response of the sole structure in the area adJacent the gap. While such localized impact response dominance is importan~ to adjusting the impact response of the sole structure, in view o( the advantageous character-istics of the ~945 patent fluid-filled lnserts, it would be deslrable to have the impact response or the inserts dominate over a broader area.
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2~6?.3 One aspect o~ the sole structure in accordance with the present invention is dlrected to this ob~ective.
Another aspect of the s~le-structure disclosed irl the '304 Parker et al. patent is directed to the vlslbility of the flu~d-filled insert through the gap, as well as of internal ~rtions o~ the sole through the transparent material of the flul~filled insert. The degree oî visibility is limited by the size of the gap, which itself is limited since the foam material of the midsole must perform the function OI
positioning and holding the fluid-filled insert within the sole struc-ture. Visibility of the internal portions of a sole structure allows a person to see how a midsole functions. Internal visibility is particu-larly desirable when fluid-filled inserts are used in the sole structure.
Millions ot athletic sho~s have been sold commerciaLly with fluid-fllled inserts of the type disclosed ln the 1945 and '304 patents, and failures of the inserts in these shoes have been extremely rare.
Nevertheless, the abillty oi a user to see that no leaks, aneurysms or other defects have rormed ln the Insert enhances the confldence o~
the user in the performance of the shoe. The gap used ln the mldsole of the 1304 Parker et al. patent proYides a degree of such visibillty, however, the sole structure of the present invention greatly enhances internal visibility.
Sole structures which alIow internal visibility are dlsclosed in other patent~s such as U.S. Patene No. 4,3gl,048 to Lutz and U.S.
Patent No. 4,845,863 to Yung~Mao. In Lutz '0~8 visibility is provided through a small window in the bottom of an outsole for~ed of a trans-parent or translucent insert, or OI a section Or smaller thickness in an at least partially translucent outsole. Very limited visibility ls pro-vlded through such a small window. In Yung-Mao '863 visibility is provided through a relatively small aperture rormed in either the bot-tom of the outso}e or the side of the midsole. The viewing aperture is filled in with a transparent material. One potential disadvantage OI
providing visibility through an aperture in the sole structure is that removal of the material of the sole structure for the aperture weak-ens the sole structure. This ls not the case ~ith shoes made according to the teachings of the '304 Parker et al. patent, since a fluid-filled ~ 2 ~
lnsert wlth superior cushioning capability ~ills at least a portion of the aperture. However, ln other systems where the aperture remains unfilled, or ls fl~ed with a rigid or semi-rigid transparent plastlc material, the cushioning capabllity of the sole can ~e adversely ef~ected. Another aspect of the sole structure in accordance with the present invention is to provide a broad degree of visibiiity of internal portions of the sole without the use o~ apertures and without adversely afîecting the cushioning characteri~tics ot the midsole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shoe which incorporates an improved sole structure. The sole structure has a configuration which permits a fluid-f~led insert to dominate the impact respon~e charac-teristics Or the sole structure in the area of the insert. The sole structure also provides for a broad degree of visibil~ty of internal por-tions o~ a midsole.
The sole structure includes an outsole and a fluid-fLlled insert.
The outsole has a lower surface with a tractive surrace for producing frlctlonal contact and an upper surrace. The outsole upper surface has a mechanlsm for positionlng the fluid-filled Insert In the sole structure, and the flui~filled insert has a mechar~sm for cooperating with the positioning mechanlsm.
In a preterred embodiment, the p~sitioning mechanis~ includes a plurality oS pro~ections extending from the upper sur~ace of the outsole with corresponding or mating recess~s in the bottom surface of the fluid-îilled Insert cooperating with the proJections. A pr~
ferred configuratiQn o~ the proiections are lands extending between a series o~ transversely extending grooves along the upper surface oi the outsole. The p~sltloning mechanism may also preferably include a pair ol longltudinally extendlng grooves on either side o~ the trans-versely extending grooves, and an upwardly extending side wall. By utilizing the positioning mechanism of the present invention, the lowe~ surface o~ the fluid-filled insert can be placed in direct contact with the upper suriacs of the outsole. The impact responsiveness Or the fluid-filled ir~ert is thus attalned more directly than if a foam material were interpoised between the outsole and the îluid-filled .
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.
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- 6 ~ L~ 3 insert. Furthermore, since the fluid-~llled insert is securec5 In position by the positioning mechanism on the outsole, ~oam material is not re~uired for this function. The fluld-flllecl insert thus can occupy a major portion of the volume ot the sole structure in the area where the insert is located, thereby domlnating the impact response of the sole structure in that area.
The outsole is formecl as an integral one-piece outsole, and a section of the outsole is formed of a clear ~ateriaI. The clear mat~
rial preferably extends along the bottom and around a portion of two sides of the sole structure. In this manner, the bottom and both sides of the miclsole surrounded by the clear section Or the outsole are visi-ble. The visible section of the miclsole is preferably the fluid-filled insert which is thus visible over a 180 extent. The fluid-filled inser~t is also preferably formed of a flexible fluid-containing wall made of a clear material. Visibility over this broad area is accomplishecl by uti-lizing a single-piece integral outsole with a clear section of material, and not by Iorming an aperture In the sole structure, which tencls to weaken the sole structure and limit the area of visibility.
~ larlous advantages and ~eatures of novelty whlch characterlze the Invention are pointed out with partlcularity in the clalms annexed hereto and forming a part hereo~. However, for a better understan~
ing of the invention, its advantages, and objects obtained by its use, reference should be had to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive m~tter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIP~ON OF THl~ DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side view of an athIetic shoe embodying the present invention;
Figure 2 is a bottom view of a portion ot the sole structure;
Figure 3 is an exploded view showing the heel portlon o~ the sole structure with the outsole and Insert separated; and Figure 4 ~s a sectional view of the sole structure taken gener-ally along line 4-4 o~ Figure 2.
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DETAILED D~SCRIPlION
Referrlng to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indlcate like elements, an article o~ footwear in accordance with the present invention, such as a running shoe, is generally shown as 10 in Figure 1. Shoe 10 includes a sole structure 12 and an upper 14 attached thereto. Upper 14 can be of any convenl:ional design, while sole structure 12 incorporates the features of the present in~ention.
Sole structure 12 includes a force absorbing or cushioning midsole 16 and a flexible, wear resistant outsole 18. r~fidsole 16 includ~s an lnner member or insert 20 and an outer member 22.
Outsole 18 is preferably made of a conventional solid natural or synthetic rubber with a density typically greater than 1. The mateMal OI outsole 18 should have a hardness greater than that of a typical prior art foam midsole, and should also ~e abrasion resistant. Outsole 18 is also relatively thinner, e.g., oIle-quarter inch or less, than a tyE~
ical cushioning miclsole in the heel area, which can have a thickness between one-hal~ and one inch. While the construction of shoe 10 is shown as that o~ a typlcal running shoe, sole structure 12 could be used with other types o~ shoes, ~or example, tennis, basketball or wahking shoes.
Outer member 22 is formed of a cushioning 2Oam material and extends over the upper sur~ace of outsole 18 in the area where insert 20 is not located. As seen in Figure 4, the roam material o~ outer member 22 extends over only the top surface oi insert 20 and ~ills in valleys or grooves 27 along the top surface.
Referring to Figure 3, insert 20 has a sealed perimeter and is inf!ated with a fluid, pre~erably gaseous, medium, thereby belng com-pliant and resilient. Insert 20 is thus preferably a fluid-filled Insert.
Insert 20 has an upper sur~ace 24, a lower surface 26, side sur~aces 28, 30, a front surIace 3a and a back sur~ace 34 all spaced from one another when insert 20 is inflated. Upper surIace 24 is connected to the lower surface 26 at preselected areas 41 withln the perimeter of insert 20, which when inflate~ with gas takes on the configuration illustra~ed in Figure 3, wherein a plurality of chambers are formed.
The chambers include len~thwise or lon~tu~nally extending tubes 21, - 8 ~ 2 ~
23 adjacent each o~ the lateral and medial sides, with transverse tubes 25 eonnecting the longituclinai tubes. Positioned between the trans-verse tubes 25 are grooves 27, the base of whlch !Ls defined by connec-tion areas 41. The function o~ ~rooYes 27 will be more fully expla~ned herein below.
In a preferred form of the inventlon, in~rt 20 is formed o~ a material as disclosed in V.S. Patent Nos. 4l183,156 and 4,219,945 ~o Marion F. Rudy and the gas that fills the Insert is selecte~ from the group of gases like~e mentioned in the Rudy patents, the disclosures ot which are hereby incorporated by reference. That is, the wall material of the insert can be selected from the following materials:
polyurethane, polyester elastomer, fluoroelastomer, chlorinatecl poly-ethylene, polyvinyl chloride; chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, neoprene, butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, butadiene styrene rubber, ethylene propylene polymer, natural rubt~r, hlgh strength silicone rubt~er, low denslty polyethylene, adduct rubber, sulflde rubber, methyl rubber, thermo-plastic rubbers.
One oI the above materials whlch has been found to be partiou-larly useful in manufacturing the inflated insert ls palyurethane film.
Gases, also as disclosed in the Rudy patent, which have been found to be usable in the pressure retention within the chambers are as (ollows: hexafluoroethane, sul~ur hexafluoride, perfluoropropane, perfluorobutane, per~luoropentane, perfluorohexane, perfluoro-heptane, octafluorocyclobutane, perfluorocyclobutane, hexafluoro-propylene, tetrafluoromethane, monochloropentafluoroethane, 1,2-clichlorotetra~luoroethane, 1,1,2 trichlor~1,2,2 trifluoroethane, chlorotrifluoroethylene, bromotri~luoromethane, and monochloro-trifluoromethane. These gases may be termed supergases.
The two most desirable gases for use in the insert are hexafluorolethane and sullur hexafluorlde.
Various rOam materials are used to make up the balance Or the midsole 16, i.e., outer member 22. These foam materiaLs, also as dis-closed in the Rudy patents, include the ~ollo~ing: polyether ure-thane, polyester urethane, ethylene-vinylacetate/polyethylene 9 2 ~ 3 copolymer, polyester elastomer (Hytrel), ethylenevinylacetate/
polypropylene copolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, neoprene, natural rubber, dacronlpolyester, polyvinylchlol lde, ~hermoplastic rubbers, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, sulfide rubber, polyvinyl acetate, methyl rubber, buna N., buna S., polystyrene, ethylene propylene, polybutadiene, polypropylene, sl}lcone rubber.
The most satisfactory of the above-identL~ied elastlc foam materlals are the polyu~ethane, ethylenevinylacetate/polyethylene copolymer, ethylene vinylacetate/polypropylene c~polymer, neoprene and polyester.
Outsole 18 is provided with an outer surface havlng a series o~
tractive elementS 15 positioned thereon, F~gures 1 and 2, and on the upper surface having a series of transverse recesses or grooves 17 and transverse projections or lands 19 positioned ~etween the grooves 17, Figures 3 and 4. A palr of lengthwise or longitudinally extendlng grooves 13 are formed on the outer sides of the upper surfac~ of the sole and connect with the transverse extending grooves 17. These grooves 13, 17 and lands 19 correspond ln shape to the outer surtace of tubes 21, 23 and 25 and grooves 21 created along the bottom su~
face of insert 20 when it is inflated with a gaseous medium. The cooperation or ma~ing between the grooves 13, 17 and lands 19 of outsole 18 with tubes 21, 23 and 25 and grooves a7 o( insert 20 help to p~sition and hold insert 20 within the sole structure during the manu-facturing process and also during use o~ the shoe. While one specific conliguration of mating grooves and pro~ections in the insert and outsole are shown, other configuratlons of insert and outsole with matin~ recesses and proiections could be used. For example, an ~nsert formed with dot connections as disclosed ln the '156 Rudy patent could be used. Also, while Inserts of the type disclosed in the ~156 and '945 Rudy patents are preferred because of their advantageous cush-ioning properties other types of liquid or gas filled inserts, or other midsole inserts, could be used. Th~s is particularly true where the visibility aspect of the present invention takes precedence over the cushioning aspect.
: ' -10~ 23 Two sidewalls ll, deslgned to cooperate with fluid-filled insert 20, extend trom the upper slde surfaces o~ outsole 18. Sidewalls ll, thus, have interlor sur~aces whlch correspond or rnate with the exte-rior surfaces of the longitudinal sides of lnsert 20 along tub~ 21 and 23. The combinatlon ot sidewalls 11, grooves 13 ;~nd 17 and lands 19 allows insert 20 to be firmly secured in sole structure 12 without su~
rounding substantially all of the insert with an encapsulating foam material. Only a small amount of foam material 22 cove~s the top surface of insert 20. The size of insert 20, as a portion OI the overall height and width, i.e., volume, of the areas of sole structure 12 within which it is located, can thus be maximized. For example, as seen in Figure 4, insert 20 in-its area of maxlmum tbickness along tubes 25 occupies greater than approximately eighty percent (80%~ Or the overa11 thickness o~ sole structure 12. Insert 20 should, at its maxi-mum thlckness, occupy at least fifty percent (50%) of the overall thickness of the sole structure, and preferably eighty percent or more. In terms of volume, Insert ~0 should occupy greater than flfty percent (50%) of the volume o~ sole structure 12 in the area ~f insert 20, and preferably eighty percent (80~) or greater of the volume. In this manner, the in~ert 20 will dominate the Impact response Or the sole structure over the entire arça in which it is located.
In prior art sole structures, which encap6ulate fluid-filled inserts ln foam midsole material, the relative volume of the lnsert is limited. This limitation results from the need to surround substan-tially all of the Insert in rOam rnaterial ln order to securely hold the insert in the sole structure and to provide sufficient attachment su~
faces for securinB the midsole to the outsole and the upper. Thus, such îluld-Iilled Inserts have been llmited to occupying a maximum o~
approximately fifty percent (50%) of the volume of the sole structure in the area where the inserts are located.
Another advantage of having insert 20 in direct contact with the upper surface of outso~e 18 is the cushloning effect of fluid-filled insert 20 is not moderated by foam material interposed between the ground on which the shoe impacts and the insert. Rather, a relatively .
,~ , .
hard, relatively thln layer o~ outsole material is tlle only material located between the ground and the fluid-f1l1ed Insert.
~ nother aspect of sole structure 23 relates to maximizing the visibility of Insert 20 through outsole 18. This ~s accompllshed by rorming sldewalls ll and at least the bottom portion o~ outsole 18 which extends between sidewalls 11 Or a clear (eilther transparent or translucent) elastomeric material. The remaining portion OI outsole 18 could also be made of the clear elastomeric materlal, however, It is preferred to ~orm the remaining portlon of an opaque elas~omer. In Flgure 2, the demarcation of opaque sections 51 and 53 of outsole 18 from clear section 55 is indicated by curved lines ~l and 49 at the front and rear edges of clear section S5. Slnce clear se~tion 5S
ex~ends around both the sides and bottom of insert 20, it can be vlewed over a 180 extent. Insert 20 is prererably rorme~ OI a clear materlal (e.g. transparent) polyurethane, so that the insert can a~ be viewed through. Foam material 22 ln valleys 27 ls thus vislble from the bottom and sides ot sole structure 12 through the clear materials o( outsole section 55 and Insert 20.
Clear section 55 Or outsole 18 is ~ormed as part of a single-piece Integral outsole with the surroundlng opague sections 51, 53. This is accomplished by curing the clear and opaque elastomers in a mold at the same time. The clear and opaque, uncured elastomers are placed in a mold at the proper locations and then heated and cured in the mold. A thermal bond is thus ~ormed ~etween the sec-tions 55 and sections 51, 53. Figure 4 diagrammatically illustrates the thermal bond between the opaque and clear sections. A blending Or the materials lorming ssctions 51 and 55 is shown on the lert o~ Fig-ure 4, whlle a blending Or the materials Or sections 53 and 55 is shown on the right ot Figure 4.
Clear section 55 can be rormed from any elastomeric material that can be rormulate~ to provide a clear product. Th~ls clear elastomer can be based on either thermoplastic or thermosetting resin systems. Thermo~etting systems are generally preferred because o~
compatibility of processing techniques and ~etter physical properties.
Suitable elastomeric material include synthetic elastomers based on ~ ' ~
12~ 3 homo and copolymer systems such as polycondensation polymers (e.g.
polyurethanes3, ethylen~propylene based copolymers te.g. EPDM) other synthetic rubber materials, (e.g. SBR, neoprene etc.) vinyl-based polymers (e.g. poly vlnyl chloride), polyacrylate &opolymers and the like.
The preferred class of clear elastomel1c materiaL~. Is polyurethanes which can ~e cured for example by peroxide curing systems. Prererred polyurethane materials lnclude millable polyurethanes such as MILLATHANE 88 (a polyethe~based polyurethane available from TS~ Indust~ies).
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the selection or a clear elastomeric materlal will be guided by the need to provide (1) compatibi~ty with the opaque materials, i.e. ability to bond to each other and (2) acceptable physical properties o~ the final sole material In this regard the clear elastomer should possess properties that approximate those o~ conventional opaque soling materials, e.g. goocl flexlbllity, durability, abraslon resistance, traction and the llke. In addltlon the clear elastomeric material should be form~ated to pro-vide resistance to dlscoloration by oxidatlon or UV llght~ In this regard a preferred elastomlc composition suitable for use ac~ording to this invention may include conventional additives such as fillers, UV
light stabilizers, antioxidants, curing agents and the lL~ce. In general, additives which do not adversely effect the clear nature or physical properties o~ the elastomeric material can ~e used.
~ umerous characteristics, advantages, and embodiments of the invention have been descri~ed in deta~l in the foregoing description with rererence to the accompanylng drawings. However, the disclo-sure Is illustrative only and the lnvention is not limlted to the preclse illustrated embodlments. Various changes and modifications may be effective therein by one skilled ln the art without departing ~rom the scope or spirit o~ the invention.
SHOE AND SOLE STP~UCTURE WITH
FLUID Fla LED INSERTS
TECHNICAL FELD
The present invention relates to shoes and more particularly to a sole struceure for shoes. The sole structure includes a fluid-filleci Insert secured within it in a manner which maximizes the effective-ness and visibility of the insert.
BACK(~ROUND OF THE INVENllON
The sole of a shoe must provide traction, protection, and a durable wear surface. The considerable rorces generated by running require that the sole o~ a runnlng shoe provlda enhanceci protection and shock al~;orption tor the foot and leg. It is also desirable to have enhanced protection and shock absorption for the foot and leg in all types oI footwear. Accordingly, the sole ot a running shoe typically includes several layet~s, including a resilient, sh~k absorbent material as a mi~sole and a ground contacting outer sole or outsole, which pro-vides both durability and traction. Thls is partlcularly true for train-ing or ~ogglng shoes designed to be used over long distances and over a long period of time. The sole also provides a broad, stable base to support the foot during ground contact.
The typlcal midsole uses one or more materials or components whlch affect the force oi' impact in two lmportant ways, i.e. through shock absorption and energy absorption. Shock absorption involves the attenuation of harmful impact forces. A mldsole with high shock absorbing characteristics thus can provide enhanced foot protection, assuming other factors such as stability are not compromised. Energy absorption is simply the general soaking up of both impact and useful propulsive forces. Thus, a midsole with high energy absorbing charac-teristics has relatively lower resillency, and generally does not return ' ' - 2 ~ 2 3 much of the energy placed into a midsole at foot impact. This results ln less efflciency in toot motion and a "(lat't ~eel. Conversely, a midsole wi th low energy absorblng characteristicS has relatively hlgher resillency, and generally returns rnore of the energy placed into a midsole at foot impact. The terms energy absorbing and shock absorbing have been used in the past without precise delineation between th~;e effects, i.e., at times referr~ng to one or the other o~
these effects and at other times referring to the combination o~ these effects. Since both of these effects relate to Independent actions of a midsole operating on the forces of foot Impact, the term lmpact response will be used herein to describe the cornbination of these effects; and the term cushion or cushioning will be use~ as a conve-nient way of describing the accomplishmene of these two effects by a sole unit or structure of the present invention.
It is desirable to design a sole unit with proper impact response wherein both adequate shock absorption and resiliency are taken into account. Fluid rilled inserts of the type disclosed in U.S. patent Nos~
4,183,156 and 4,219,945 to Marion F. Rudy provide a cushion~ng effect for the foot which is superior to foamed polymeric materials that have been used in the past as cushioning maferials. The inserts dis-closed in the '156 and ~945 patents provide an appropriate balance o~
shock absorption and resillency. Another advantage o~ these Inserts is that they exhibit good hysteresis, i.e., can be deformed and still come back to their original shape. Even though the deforming o~ the insert occurs repeatedly, the insert will still return to its original shape.
This is superior to foamed polymeric materials such as poly lrethane (PU) and ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) foams, as well as solid plastics such as HYTREL~, which are currently used in athletic sh~es, since these materials rnay not return to their original shape after prolonged com-pressive use.
The sole structure in the '156 and 1945 patents forms a fluid-filled insert or insoie barrier member o~ an elastomer material having a multiplicity of pre~erably intercommunicating, ~luid-containing chambers inflated to a relatively high pressure by a gas having a low diIfusion rate through the elastomer material, the gas being supplemented by ambient air diffuslng through the elastomer materlal into the c~ambers to increase the pressure therein, the pressure remalning at or above its initial value over a period of years. The fluid-fillecl insert is incorporated into the insole struc ture, in the '156 patent, by placement within a cavity below the upper, e.g. on top of a midsole layer and within sides of the upper or mic}~,ole layer. A venti-latecl moderator ~ormed of a sheet OI seml-flexlble material is placed over the fluid-filled insert.
A clifferent technigue is used ln the ~945 patent for incorporat-ing the fluid-fillec~ insert into the shoe. In this patent, the insert is encapsulated within a yieldable foam material, which functions as a bridging moc~erator filling in irregularities of the insert, providing a substantially smooth and contourecl surface for supporting the fc~ot and forming an easily handled structure for attachment of an upper.
The encapsu~ating foam material also functions to hold the fluicl-filled insert in posltlon with the mldsole. When the insert ls use~ in combi-nation with an encapsulating foam, the lmpact response characteris-tlcs of the sole structure tormed by the combination is determlned or set by the comblned efrects of the two elements. Factors such as the relative volume of the two elements, the type and density of foam material used, and the pressure of the gas contained in the insert, varies the amount each element contributes to the impact response function of the sole structure.
Parker et al., U.S. Patent No. 4,817,304, discloses a shoe which uses the combination of a fluid-filled inser~ and encapsulating foam material, as disclosed in the 1945 Rudy patent, but which provides a mechanism rOr adjusting the impact response or this combinat~on.
The ad~ustment mechanism includes a gap Iormed on at least one side o~ the insert to allow the fluid-filled lnsert to expand. This expansion allows the effect of the Inser~ to dominate the impact response of the sole structure in the area adJacent the gap. While such localized impact response dominance is importan~ to adjusting the impact response of the sole structure, in view o( the advantageous character-istics of the ~945 patent fluid-filled lnserts, it would be deslrable to have the impact response or the inserts dominate over a broader area.
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2~6?.3 One aspect o~ the sole structure in accordance with the present invention is dlrected to this ob~ective.
Another aspect of the s~le-structure disclosed irl the '304 Parker et al. patent is directed to the vlslbility of the flu~d-filled insert through the gap, as well as of internal ~rtions o~ the sole through the transparent material of the flul~filled insert. The degree oî visibility is limited by the size of the gap, which itself is limited since the foam material of the midsole must perform the function OI
positioning and holding the fluid-filled insert within the sole struc-ture. Visibility of the internal portions of a sole structure allows a person to see how a midsole functions. Internal visibility is particu-larly desirable when fluid-filled inserts are used in the sole structure.
Millions ot athletic sho~s have been sold commerciaLly with fluid-fllled inserts of the type disclosed ln the 1945 and '304 patents, and failures of the inserts in these shoes have been extremely rare.
Nevertheless, the abillty oi a user to see that no leaks, aneurysms or other defects have rormed ln the Insert enhances the confldence o~
the user in the performance of the shoe. The gap used ln the mldsole of the 1304 Parker et al. patent proYides a degree of such visibillty, however, the sole structure of the present invention greatly enhances internal visibility.
Sole structures which alIow internal visibility are dlsclosed in other patent~s such as U.S. Patene No. 4,3gl,048 to Lutz and U.S.
Patent No. 4,845,863 to Yung~Mao. In Lutz '0~8 visibility is provided through a small window in the bottom of an outsole for~ed of a trans-parent or translucent insert, or OI a section Or smaller thickness in an at least partially translucent outsole. Very limited visibility ls pro-vlded through such a small window. In Yung-Mao '863 visibility is provided through a relatively small aperture rormed in either the bot-tom of the outso}e or the side of the midsole. The viewing aperture is filled in with a transparent material. One potential disadvantage OI
providing visibility through an aperture in the sole structure is that removal of the material of the sole structure for the aperture weak-ens the sole structure. This ls not the case ~ith shoes made according to the teachings of the '304 Parker et al. patent, since a fluid-filled ~ 2 ~
lnsert wlth superior cushioning capability ~ills at least a portion of the aperture. However, ln other systems where the aperture remains unfilled, or ls fl~ed with a rigid or semi-rigid transparent plastlc material, the cushioning capabllity of the sole can ~e adversely ef~ected. Another aspect of the sole structure in accordance with the present invention is to provide a broad degree of visibiiity of internal portions of the sole without the use o~ apertures and without adversely afîecting the cushioning characteri~tics ot the midsole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shoe which incorporates an improved sole structure. The sole structure has a configuration which permits a fluid-f~led insert to dominate the impact respon~e charac-teristics Or the sole structure in the area of the insert. The sole structure also provides for a broad degree of visibil~ty of internal por-tions o~ a midsole.
The sole structure includes an outsole and a fluid-fLlled insert.
The outsole has a lower surface with a tractive surrace for producing frlctlonal contact and an upper surrace. The outsole upper surface has a mechanlsm for positionlng the fluid-filled Insert In the sole structure, and the flui~filled insert has a mechar~sm for cooperating with the positioning mechanlsm.
In a preterred embodiment, the p~sitioning mechanis~ includes a plurality oS pro~ections extending from the upper sur~ace of the outsole with corresponding or mating recess~s in the bottom surface of the fluid-îilled Insert cooperating with the proJections. A pr~
ferred configuratiQn o~ the proiections are lands extending between a series o~ transversely extending grooves along the upper surface oi the outsole. The p~sltloning mechanism may also preferably include a pair ol longltudinally extendlng grooves on either side o~ the trans-versely extending grooves, and an upwardly extending side wall. By utilizing the positioning mechanism of the present invention, the lowe~ surface o~ the fluid-filled insert can be placed in direct contact with the upper suriacs of the outsole. The impact responsiveness Or the fluid-filled ir~ert is thus attalned more directly than if a foam material were interpoised between the outsole and the îluid-filled .
:
.
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- 6 ~ L~ 3 insert. Furthermore, since the fluid-~llled insert is securec5 In position by the positioning mechanism on the outsole, ~oam material is not re~uired for this function. The fluld-flllecl insert thus can occupy a major portion of the volume ot the sole structure in the area where the insert is located, thereby domlnating the impact response of the sole structure in that area.
The outsole is formecl as an integral one-piece outsole, and a section of the outsole is formed of a clear ~ateriaI. The clear mat~
rial preferably extends along the bottom and around a portion of two sides of the sole structure. In this manner, the bottom and both sides of the miclsole surrounded by the clear section Or the outsole are visi-ble. The visible section of the miclsole is preferably the fluid-filled insert which is thus visible over a 180 extent. The fluid-filled inser~t is also preferably formed of a flexible fluid-containing wall made of a clear material. Visibility over this broad area is accomplishecl by uti-lizing a single-piece integral outsole with a clear section of material, and not by Iorming an aperture In the sole structure, which tencls to weaken the sole structure and limit the area of visibility.
~ larlous advantages and ~eatures of novelty whlch characterlze the Invention are pointed out with partlcularity in the clalms annexed hereto and forming a part hereo~. However, for a better understan~
ing of the invention, its advantages, and objects obtained by its use, reference should be had to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive m~tter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIP~ON OF THl~ DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a side view of an athIetic shoe embodying the present invention;
Figure 2 is a bottom view of a portion ot the sole structure;
Figure 3 is an exploded view showing the heel portlon o~ the sole structure with the outsole and Insert separated; and Figure 4 ~s a sectional view of the sole structure taken gener-ally along line 4-4 o~ Figure 2.
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DETAILED D~SCRIPlION
Referrlng to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indlcate like elements, an article o~ footwear in accordance with the present invention, such as a running shoe, is generally shown as 10 in Figure 1. Shoe 10 includes a sole structure 12 and an upper 14 attached thereto. Upper 14 can be of any convenl:ional design, while sole structure 12 incorporates the features of the present in~ention.
Sole structure 12 includes a force absorbing or cushioning midsole 16 and a flexible, wear resistant outsole 18. r~fidsole 16 includ~s an lnner member or insert 20 and an outer member 22.
Outsole 18 is preferably made of a conventional solid natural or synthetic rubber with a density typically greater than 1. The mateMal OI outsole 18 should have a hardness greater than that of a typical prior art foam midsole, and should also ~e abrasion resistant. Outsole 18 is also relatively thinner, e.g., oIle-quarter inch or less, than a tyE~
ical cushioning miclsole in the heel area, which can have a thickness between one-hal~ and one inch. While the construction of shoe 10 is shown as that o~ a typlcal running shoe, sole structure 12 could be used with other types o~ shoes, ~or example, tennis, basketball or wahking shoes.
Outer member 22 is formed of a cushioning 2Oam material and extends over the upper sur~ace of outsole 18 in the area where insert 20 is not located. As seen in Figure 4, the roam material o~ outer member 22 extends over only the top surface oi insert 20 and ~ills in valleys or grooves 27 along the top surface.
Referring to Figure 3, insert 20 has a sealed perimeter and is inf!ated with a fluid, pre~erably gaseous, medium, thereby belng com-pliant and resilient. Insert 20 is thus preferably a fluid-filled Insert.
Insert 20 has an upper sur~ace 24, a lower surface 26, side sur~aces 28, 30, a front surIace 3a and a back sur~ace 34 all spaced from one another when insert 20 is inflated. Upper surIace 24 is connected to the lower surface 26 at preselected areas 41 withln the perimeter of insert 20, which when inflate~ with gas takes on the configuration illustra~ed in Figure 3, wherein a plurality of chambers are formed.
The chambers include len~thwise or lon~tu~nally extending tubes 21, - 8 ~ 2 ~
23 adjacent each o~ the lateral and medial sides, with transverse tubes 25 eonnecting the longituclinai tubes. Positioned between the trans-verse tubes 25 are grooves 27, the base of whlch !Ls defined by connec-tion areas 41. The function o~ ~rooYes 27 will be more fully expla~ned herein below.
In a preferred form of the inventlon, in~rt 20 is formed o~ a material as disclosed in V.S. Patent Nos. 4l183,156 and 4,219,945 ~o Marion F. Rudy and the gas that fills the Insert is selecte~ from the group of gases like~e mentioned in the Rudy patents, the disclosures ot which are hereby incorporated by reference. That is, the wall material of the insert can be selected from the following materials:
polyurethane, polyester elastomer, fluoroelastomer, chlorinatecl poly-ethylene, polyvinyl chloride; chlorosulfonated polyethylene, polyethylene/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, neoprene, butadiene acrylonitrile rubber, butadiene styrene rubber, ethylene propylene polymer, natural rubt~r, hlgh strength silicone rubt~er, low denslty polyethylene, adduct rubber, sulflde rubber, methyl rubber, thermo-plastic rubbers.
One oI the above materials whlch has been found to be partiou-larly useful in manufacturing the inflated insert ls palyurethane film.
Gases, also as disclosed in the Rudy patent, which have been found to be usable in the pressure retention within the chambers are as (ollows: hexafluoroethane, sul~ur hexafluoride, perfluoropropane, perfluorobutane, per~luoropentane, perfluorohexane, perfluoro-heptane, octafluorocyclobutane, perfluorocyclobutane, hexafluoro-propylene, tetrafluoromethane, monochloropentafluoroethane, 1,2-clichlorotetra~luoroethane, 1,1,2 trichlor~1,2,2 trifluoroethane, chlorotrifluoroethylene, bromotri~luoromethane, and monochloro-trifluoromethane. These gases may be termed supergases.
The two most desirable gases for use in the insert are hexafluorolethane and sullur hexafluorlde.
Various rOam materials are used to make up the balance Or the midsole 16, i.e., outer member 22. These foam materiaLs, also as dis-closed in the Rudy patents, include the ~ollo~ing: polyether ure-thane, polyester urethane, ethylene-vinylacetate/polyethylene 9 2 ~ 3 copolymer, polyester elastomer (Hytrel), ethylenevinylacetate/
polypropylene copolymer, polyethylene, polypropylene, neoprene, natural rubber, dacronlpolyester, polyvinylchlol lde, ~hermoplastic rubbers, nitrile rubber, butyl rubber, sulfide rubber, polyvinyl acetate, methyl rubber, buna N., buna S., polystyrene, ethylene propylene, polybutadiene, polypropylene, sl}lcone rubber.
The most satisfactory of the above-identL~ied elastlc foam materlals are the polyu~ethane, ethylenevinylacetate/polyethylene copolymer, ethylene vinylacetate/polypropylene c~polymer, neoprene and polyester.
Outsole 18 is provided with an outer surface havlng a series o~
tractive elementS 15 positioned thereon, F~gures 1 and 2, and on the upper surface having a series of transverse recesses or grooves 17 and transverse projections or lands 19 positioned ~etween the grooves 17, Figures 3 and 4. A palr of lengthwise or longitudinally extendlng grooves 13 are formed on the outer sides of the upper surfac~ of the sole and connect with the transverse extending grooves 17. These grooves 13, 17 and lands 19 correspond ln shape to the outer surtace of tubes 21, 23 and 25 and grooves 21 created along the bottom su~
face of insert 20 when it is inflated with a gaseous medium. The cooperation or ma~ing between the grooves 13, 17 and lands 19 of outsole 18 with tubes 21, 23 and 25 and grooves a7 o( insert 20 help to p~sition and hold insert 20 within the sole structure during the manu-facturing process and also during use o~ the shoe. While one specific conliguration of mating grooves and pro~ections in the insert and outsole are shown, other configuratlons of insert and outsole with matin~ recesses and proiections could be used. For example, an ~nsert formed with dot connections as disclosed ln the '156 Rudy patent could be used. Also, while Inserts of the type disclosed in the ~156 and '945 Rudy patents are preferred because of their advantageous cush-ioning properties other types of liquid or gas filled inserts, or other midsole inserts, could be used. Th~s is particularly true where the visibility aspect of the present invention takes precedence over the cushioning aspect.
: ' -10~ 23 Two sidewalls ll, deslgned to cooperate with fluid-filled insert 20, extend trom the upper slde surfaces o~ outsole 18. Sidewalls ll, thus, have interlor sur~aces whlch correspond or rnate with the exte-rior surfaces of the longitudinal sides of lnsert 20 along tub~ 21 and 23. The combinatlon ot sidewalls 11, grooves 13 ;~nd 17 and lands 19 allows insert 20 to be firmly secured in sole structure 12 without su~
rounding substantially all of the insert with an encapsulating foam material. Only a small amount of foam material 22 cove~s the top surface of insert 20. The size of insert 20, as a portion OI the overall height and width, i.e., volume, of the areas of sole structure 12 within which it is located, can thus be maximized. For example, as seen in Figure 4, insert 20 in-its area of maxlmum tbickness along tubes 25 occupies greater than approximately eighty percent (80%~ Or the overa11 thickness o~ sole structure 12. Insert 20 should, at its maxi-mum thlckness, occupy at least fifty percent (50%) of the overall thickness of the sole structure, and preferably eighty percent or more. In terms of volume, Insert ~0 should occupy greater than flfty percent (50%) of the volume o~ sole structure 12 in the area ~f insert 20, and preferably eighty percent (80~) or greater of the volume. In this manner, the in~ert 20 will dominate the Impact response Or the sole structure over the entire arça in which it is located.
In prior art sole structures, which encap6ulate fluid-filled inserts ln foam midsole material, the relative volume of the lnsert is limited. This limitation results from the need to surround substan-tially all of the Insert in rOam rnaterial ln order to securely hold the insert in the sole structure and to provide sufficient attachment su~
faces for securinB the midsole to the outsole and the upper. Thus, such îluld-Iilled Inserts have been llmited to occupying a maximum o~
approximately fifty percent (50%) of the volume of the sole structure in the area where the inserts are located.
Another advantage of having insert 20 in direct contact with the upper surface of outso~e 18 is the cushloning effect of fluid-filled insert 20 is not moderated by foam material interposed between the ground on which the shoe impacts and the insert. Rather, a relatively .
,~ , .
hard, relatively thln layer o~ outsole material is tlle only material located between the ground and the fluid-f1l1ed Insert.
~ nother aspect of sole structure 23 relates to maximizing the visibility of Insert 20 through outsole 18. This ~s accompllshed by rorming sldewalls ll and at least the bottom portion o~ outsole 18 which extends between sidewalls 11 Or a clear (eilther transparent or translucent) elastomeric material. The remaining portion OI outsole 18 could also be made of the clear elastomeric materlal, however, It is preferred to ~orm the remaining portlon of an opaque elas~omer. In Flgure 2, the demarcation of opaque sections 51 and 53 of outsole 18 from clear section 55 is indicated by curved lines ~l and 49 at the front and rear edges of clear section S5. Slnce clear se~tion 5S
ex~ends around both the sides and bottom of insert 20, it can be vlewed over a 180 extent. Insert 20 is prererably rorme~ OI a clear materlal (e.g. transparent) polyurethane, so that the insert can a~ be viewed through. Foam material 22 ln valleys 27 ls thus vislble from the bottom and sides ot sole structure 12 through the clear materials o( outsole section 55 and Insert 20.
Clear section 55 Or outsole 18 is ~ormed as part of a single-piece Integral outsole with the surroundlng opague sections 51, 53. This is accomplished by curing the clear and opaque elastomers in a mold at the same time. The clear and opaque, uncured elastomers are placed in a mold at the proper locations and then heated and cured in the mold. A thermal bond is thus ~ormed ~etween the sec-tions 55 and sections 51, 53. Figure 4 diagrammatically illustrates the thermal bond between the opaque and clear sections. A blending Or the materials lorming ssctions 51 and 55 is shown on the lert o~ Fig-ure 4, whlle a blending Or the materials Or sections 53 and 55 is shown on the right ot Figure 4.
Clear section 55 can be rormed from any elastomeric material that can be rormulate~ to provide a clear product. Th~ls clear elastomer can be based on either thermoplastic or thermosetting resin systems. Thermo~etting systems are generally preferred because o~
compatibility of processing techniques and ~etter physical properties.
Suitable elastomeric material include synthetic elastomers based on ~ ' ~
12~ 3 homo and copolymer systems such as polycondensation polymers (e.g.
polyurethanes3, ethylen~propylene based copolymers te.g. EPDM) other synthetic rubber materials, (e.g. SBR, neoprene etc.) vinyl-based polymers (e.g. poly vlnyl chloride), polyacrylate &opolymers and the like.
The preferred class of clear elastomel1c materiaL~. Is polyurethanes which can ~e cured for example by peroxide curing systems. Prererred polyurethane materials lnclude millable polyurethanes such as MILLATHANE 88 (a polyethe~based polyurethane available from TS~ Indust~ies).
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the selection or a clear elastomeric materlal will be guided by the need to provide (1) compatibi~ty with the opaque materials, i.e. ability to bond to each other and (2) acceptable physical properties o~ the final sole material In this regard the clear elastomer should possess properties that approximate those o~ conventional opaque soling materials, e.g. goocl flexlbllity, durability, abraslon resistance, traction and the llke. In addltlon the clear elastomeric material should be form~ated to pro-vide resistance to dlscoloration by oxidatlon or UV llght~ In this regard a preferred elastomlc composition suitable for use ac~ording to this invention may include conventional additives such as fillers, UV
light stabilizers, antioxidants, curing agents and the lL~ce. In general, additives which do not adversely effect the clear nature or physical properties o~ the elastomeric material can ~e used.
~ umerous characteristics, advantages, and embodiments of the invention have been descri~ed in deta~l in the foregoing description with rererence to the accompanylng drawings. However, the disclo-sure Is illustrative only and the lnvention is not limlted to the preclse illustrated embodlments. Various changes and modifications may be effective therein by one skilled ln the art without departing ~rom the scope or spirit o~ the invention.
Claims (38)
1. A shoe comprising an upper and a sole, said sole com-prising an integral one-piece outsole and a cushioning midsole, said outsole having an upper surface and a lower surface for providing traction with a surface on which the shoe is used, said outsole includ-ing a clear section extending along the bottom and around both sides of said midsole to permit visual inspection of interior portions of said midsole along the bottom and both sides of the midsole.
2. The shoe recited in claim 1 wherein said midsole includes a fluid-filled insert overlying the upper surface of said clear section of said outsole, said insert including a flexible, fluid-contain-ing wall.
3. The shoe recited in claim 2 wherein said fluid-containing wall is formed of a clear material.
4. The shoe recited in claim 3 wherein said fluid-filled insert includes recesses formed in at least a top surface of said insert, and said midsole includes an elastomeric foam material extending over the top surface of said insert and substantially filling in the recesses along the top surface of said insert, said filled in areas of said recesses being visible through the sides and bottom of said clear section of said outsole and through the clear material of said insert.
5. The shoe recited in claim 3 or 4 wherein said fluid-filled insert includes positioning recesses along its bottom surface, and said clear section of said outsole includes projections extending upward from its upper surface to mate with said positioning recesses of said fluid-filled insert.
6. The shoe recited in claim 5 wherein said fluid containing wall includes opposite transverse sides, and the portions of said clear section of said outsole which extend around the sides of said midsole having interior surfaces mating substantially with said transverse sides of said fluid containing wall.
7. The shoe recited in claim 2 or 3 wherein said insert is filled with a gaseous medium comprising an inert, non-polar, large molecule gas having a low solubility coefficient, said flexible wall having characteristics of relative low permeability with respect to said gas to resist diffusion of said gas therethrough from said insert and of relatively high permeability with respect to the ambient air surrounding said insert to permit diffusion of said ambient air through said flexible wall into said inflated insert to provide a total pressure in said insert which is the sum of the partial pressure of the gas in said insert and the partial pressure of the air in said insert, the diffu-sion rate of said gas through said flexible wall being substantially lower than the diffusion rate of nitrogen through said flexible wall.
8. the shoe recited in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein said integral one-piece outsole includes at least one opaque section.
9. A sole structure for use in a shoe having an outsole and a sealed fluid-filled insert, said outsole having a lower surface having a tractive surface for producing frictional contact and an upper sur-face;
said outsole upper surface having means for positioning said fluid-filled insert in said sole structure and said fluid-filled insert having a means for cooperating with said means for positioning said fluid-filled insert.
said outsole upper surface having means for positioning said fluid-filled insert in said sole structure and said fluid-filled insert having a means for cooperating with said means for positioning said fluid-filled insert.
10. The sole structure recited in claim 9 wherein said posi-tioning means comprises a series of transversely extending grooves.
11. The sole structure recited in claim 10 further compris-ing lengthwise extending grooves that are adjoined to said trans-versely extending grooves.
12. The sole structure recited in claim 10 wherein said posi-tioning means further includes projections that extend upwardly from the upper surface of the outsole to engage corresponding recesses in the fluid-filled insert.
13. The sole structure recited in claim 10, 11, or 12 wherein said positioning means further comprises said outsole having sidewalls extending upwardly along a portion of each side of the sole structure for contacting at least a portion of the sides of said fluid-filled insert.
14. The sole structure recited In claim 13 wherein the inte-rior surface of said outsole sidewalls mates with the exterior surface of said portions of the sides of said fluid-filled insert.
15. The sole structure recited in claim 9 wherein said insert includes a flexible fluid-containing wall.
16. The sole structure recited in claim 15 wherein said insert is filled with a gaseous medium comprising an inert, non-polar, large molecule gas having a low solubility coefficient, said flexible wall having characteristics of relative low permeability with respect to said gas to resist diffusion of said gas therethrough from said insert and of relatively high permeability with respect to the ambient air surrounding said insert to permit diffusion of said ambient air through said flexible wall into said inflated insert to provide a total pressure in said insert which is the sum of the partial pressure of the gas in said insert and the partial pressure of the air in said insert, the diffu-sion rate of said gas through said flexible wall being substantially lower than the diffusion rate of nitrogen through said flexible wall.
17. The shoe recited in claim 9 wherein the section of said outsole underlying said fluid-filled insert is made of a clear material.
18. The shoe recited in claim 13 wherein said sidewalls and the section of said outsole underlying said fluid-filled insert are made of a clear material.
19. The shoe recited in claim 17 wherein said outsole includes at least one opaque section of material.
20. A shoe sole structure comprising an outsole and a fluid-filled insert, said outsole having a lower surface with a tractive surface and an upper surface having upwardly extending sidewalls, said upwardly extending sidewalls contacting the sides of, and sup-porting, said fluid-filled insert within said sole structure.
21. The shoe sole structure as recited in claim 20 wherein said fluid-filled insert occupies greater than 50% of the overall vol-ume of the sole structure in the area of the sole structure where the insert is located.
22. The shoe sole structure as recited in claim 20 wherein said fluid-filled insert occupies greater than 80% of the overall vol-ume of the sole structure in the area of the sole structure where the insert is located.
23. The shoe sole structure as recited in claim 20 wherein said upwardly extending sidewalls are clear.
24. The shoe sole structure as recited in claim 20 wherein said sidewalls and the bottom portion of the outsole connecting the sidewalls are clear.
25. The shoe sole structure as recited in claim 20 wherein said sole structure is attached to a shoe upper.
26. The shoe sole structure as recited in claim 20 further comprising means for positioning said fluid-filled insert between said sidewalls to prevent lateral movement.
27. The shoe sole structure as recited in claim 26 wherein said means for positioning said fluid-filled insert comprises a series of lands and grooves with said fluid-filled insert having corresponding cooperating lands and grooves.
28. The shoe sole structure as recited in claim 26 or 27 including an elastomeric foam material extending over the fluid-filled insert and the portion of the upper surface of said outsole not covered by said fluid-filled insert.
29. The shoe sole structure as recited in claim 20 wherein said insert includes a flexible fluid-containing wall.
30. The shoe sole structure recited in claim 29 wherein said insert is filled with a gaseous medium comprising an inert, non-polar, large molecule gas having a low solubility coefficient, said flexible wall having characteristics of relative low permeability with respect to said gas to resist diffusion of said gas therethrough from said insert and of relatively high permeability with respect to the ambient air surrounding said insert to permit diffusion of said ambient air through said flexible wall into said inflated insert to provide a total pressure in said insert which is the sum of the partial pressure of the gas in said insert and the partial pressure of the air in said insert, the diffu-sion rate of said gas through said flexible wall being substantially lower than the diffusion rate of nitrogen through said flexible wall.
31. The shoe sole structure received in claim 24 wherein said outsole includes a portion formed of an opaque material.
32. A shoe comprising:
an upper and a sole structure attached to said upper;
said sole structure having an outsole and a midsole, said outsole having an upper surface, a lower surface and sidewalls extend-ing upwardly from at least a portion of the upper surface, said sidewalls and the portion of the outsole extending between said sidewalls being made of a clear material, said midsole including a fluid-filled insert;
means for positioning said fluid-filled insert within the upper surface of the outsole in alignment with the clear material to provide visibility of the bottom and sides of the fluid-filled insert;
said means for positioning said fluid-filled insert com-prising a plurality of projections extending from the upper surface of said outsole and a plurality of corresponding recesses formed on the bottom surface of said fluid-filled insert.
an upper and a sole structure attached to said upper;
said sole structure having an outsole and a midsole, said outsole having an upper surface, a lower surface and sidewalls extend-ing upwardly from at least a portion of the upper surface, said sidewalls and the portion of the outsole extending between said sidewalls being made of a clear material, said midsole including a fluid-filled insert;
means for positioning said fluid-filled insert within the upper surface of the outsole in alignment with the clear material to provide visibility of the bottom and sides of the fluid-filled insert;
said means for positioning said fluid-filled insert com-prising a plurality of projections extending from the upper surface of said outsole and a plurality of corresponding recesses formed on the bottom surface of said fluid-filled insert.
33. The shoe recited in claim 32 wherein said fluid-filled insert includes a fluid containing wall formed of a clear material.
34. The shoe recited in claim 33 wherein said fluid-filled insert includes recesses formed in the top surface of said insert, and said midsole includes an elastomeric foam material extending over the top surface of said insert and substantially filling in the recesses along the top surface of said insert, said filled-in areas of said recess being visible through the sides and bottom of said clear portion of said outsole and through the clear material of said insert.
35. The shoe recited in claim 32, 33 or 34 wherein said fluid-filled insert occupies greater than 80% of the overall sole struc-ture volume in the area where the insert is located
36. The shoe recited in claim 32 wherein said projections are formed as lands positioned between transversely extending grooves in the upper surface of said outsole.
37. The shoe recited in claim 33 wherein said insert is filled with a gaseous medium comprising an inert, non-polar, large molecule gas having a low solubility coefficient, said flexible wall having char-acteristics of relative low permeability with respect to said gas to resist diffusion of said gas therethrough from said insert and of rela-tively high permeability with respect to the ambient air surrounding said insert to permit diffusion of said ambient air through said flexible wall into said inflated insert to provide a total pressure in said insert which is the sum of the partial pressure of the gas in said insert and the partial pressure of the air in said insert, the diffusion rate of said gas through said flexible wall being substantially lower than the diffu-sion rate of nitrogen through said flexible wall.
38. The shoe recited in claim 32 wherein said outsole includes at least one portion formed of an opaque material.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US51977990A | 1990-05-07 | 1990-05-07 | |
| US519,779 | 1990-05-07 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2041623A1 true CA2041623A1 (en) | 1991-11-08 |
Family
ID=24069738
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2041623 Abandoned CA2041623A1 (en) | 1990-05-07 | 1991-05-01 | Shoe and sole structure with fluid filled inserts |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0456434A3 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2041623A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (13)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5155927A (en) * | 1991-02-20 | 1992-10-20 | Asics Corporation | Shoe comprising liquid cushioning element |
| US5718063A (en) * | 1995-07-17 | 1998-02-17 | Asics Corporation | Midsole cushioning system |
| US20020050077A1 (en) | 1999-06-18 | 2002-05-02 | Jack Wang | Footwear with visible, replaceable cushioning cassette |
| GB0511481D0 (en) * | 2005-06-06 | 2005-07-13 | Catto Christopher J D | Shoe with a monitoring facility |
| US7533477B2 (en) | 2005-10-03 | 2009-05-19 | Nike, Inc. | Article of footwear with a sole structure having fluid-filled support elements |
| US7950169B2 (en) | 2007-05-10 | 2011-05-31 | Nike, Inc. | Contoured fluid-filled chamber |
| US10010136B2 (en) * | 2011-03-16 | 2018-07-03 | Nike, Inc. | Footwear sole structure incorporating a plurality of chambers |
| US9009991B2 (en) * | 2011-06-23 | 2015-04-21 | Nike, Inc. | Article of footwear with a cavity viewing system |
| US10856610B2 (en) | 2016-01-15 | 2020-12-08 | Hoe-Phuan Ng | Manual and dynamic shoe comfortness adjustment methods |
| US10149513B1 (en) * | 2018-01-31 | 2018-12-11 | Nike, Inc. | Sole structure for article of footwear |
| US20200305551A1 (en) * | 2019-03-28 | 2020-10-01 | Nike, Inc. | Sole structure for article of footwear |
| WO2023183844A1 (en) * | 2022-03-23 | 2023-09-28 | Nike Innovate C.V. | Article of footwear comprising a sole structure |
| US20240130472A1 (en) * | 2022-10-19 | 2024-04-25 | Nike, Inc. | Article of footwear including a sole structure |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4340626A (en) * | 1978-05-05 | 1982-07-20 | Rudy Marion F | Diffusion pumping apparatus self-inflating device |
| US4843741A (en) * | 1987-02-20 | 1989-07-04 | Autry Industries, Inc. | Custom insert with a reinforced heel portion |
| US4817304A (en) * | 1987-08-31 | 1989-04-04 | Nike, Inc. And Nike International Ltd. | Footwear with adjustable viscoelastic unit |
| DE8901235U1 (en) * | 1989-02-03 | 1990-06-07 | Puma Ag Rudolf Dassler Sport, 8522 Herzogenaurach, De | |
| EP0388661A1 (en) * | 1989-03-01 | 1990-09-26 | Autry Industries, Inc | Shoe having observation windows and method |
| DE9004131U1 (en) * | 1989-04-13 | 1990-08-09 | Puma Ag Rudolf Dassler Sport, 8522 Herzogenaurach, De |
-
1991
- 1991-05-01 CA CA 2041623 patent/CA2041623A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1991-05-03 EP EP19910304053 patent/EP0456434A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| EP0456434A3 (en) | 1992-08-26 |
| EP0456434A2 (en) | 1991-11-13 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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