GB2509144A

GB2509144A - Multi-layer platform sole for footwear, e.g. platform shoe sole.

Info

Publication number: GB2509144A
Application number: GB201223245A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kim Louise Lilley
Original assignee: FFLATFORMS SARL
Current assignee: FFLATFORMS SARL
Priority date: 2012-12-21
Filing date: 2012-12-21
Publication date: 2014-06-25
Also published as: WO2014096422A1; GB201223245D0

Abstract

A sole for an item of footwear comprises a platform 200 with a recess, and a midsole 100 substantially filling the recess. The midsole 100 is formed from a first material which has a lower compressive resistance than a second material from which the platform 200 is formed. This provides cushioning to the wearer of a shoe to which the sole is fitted. The recess is defined by a wall 250 of the platform which surrounds the midsole. The midsole if preferably a single piece of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and may be tapered from the heel region to the toe region to provide a thicker heel. The platform may comprise ABS, blown polyurethane (BPU) or wood. A ground contacting rubber layer 400 may be provided on the lower face 230 of the platform.

Description

AN ITEM OF FOOTWEAR

The present invention relates to an item of footwear.

It is known to provide items of footwear that inolude over-sized soles in order to inorease the height of the wearer.

In order to support the weight of the wearer, suoh soles are conventionally of high rigidity.

The invention seeks to provide a more comfortable item of footwear.

According to the invention there is provided an item of footwear and a method of manufacturing an item of footwear as set out in the appended claims.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be put into effect, the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a vertical crcss-section through the sole of the item of footwear in a longitudinal direction; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the sole of the item of footwear; and Figures 3A to 3D show vertical cross-sections through the sole of the item of footwear in a lateral direction.

A first embodiment of an item of footwear includes a sole (for example, the sole shown in Figure 1), and a securing means (not shown) for securing the item of footwear to a foot of a wearer.

The sole is shown in plan view in Figure 2. Figure 2 shows that the sole can be considered to define a frontal/toe region 10, a mid-foot region 15 and a heel region 20.

The sole of Figure 1 comprises a midsole 5 having a main layer 100 of a first material formed on a platform 200 of a second material.

The platform 200 may include a wall 250 extending therefrom to define a recess. The wall 250 may surround the midsole 5.

As shown in Figures 3A to 3D, the wall 250 may be tapered such that It is thickest at its base. The wall 250 may have a generally triangular cross-section.

Preferably, the first material has a lower compressive resistance than the second material. In this way, the midsole 5 may provide cushioning to the wearer of the item of footwear.

Preferably, the midsole 5 has a compressive resistance of not more than 48 on the Shore A. The main layer midsole 5 is preferably a single unitary block of material and may comprise ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) However, it will be understood that other materials will provide an eguivalent effect and examples of those materials are other elastomers, silicones, natural or synthetic rubbers and/or polyurethanes.

The main layer 100 of the midsole 5 may be tapered such that it is thicker in the heel region 20 than in the frontal/toe region 10.

Preferably, the thickness of the midsoie 5 reduces gradually in the longitudinal direction (i.e. from the heel region 20 to the frontal/toe region 10) . However, this reduction need not be continuous along the length of the midsole 100.

The main layer 100 of the midsole 5 may have a thickness in the heel region 20 in the range 21mm to 26mm.

The main layer 100 of the midsole 5 may have a thickness in the frontal/toe region 10 in the range 9mm to 14mm Furthermore, as shown in Figures 3A to 3D, the midsole 5 may have a concave upper surface (such that it is thinner in the middle of each lateral cross-section than at its edges) However, this is not essential.

In preferred embodiments, the wall 250 extends to substantially the same height as the midsole at each point around its periphery. In some embodiments the midsole 5 may protrude above the all 250 by a small amount.

Optionally, the relatively high compressive resistance of the platform 200 allows the height of the shoe to be relatively large (as compared with other forms of footwear) The platform 200 preferably has a substantially constant depth, but may be curved. Fcr example, as shown in Figure 1, the platform 200 may curve gradually upwardly below the frontal/toe end of the platform so that a wearer may walk comfortably. Similarly, a small upward curve may be provided at the rearmost/heel end of the platform.

Preferably, the height of the platform 200 (including the height of the wall 250) is at least 40mm. More preferably, the height of the platform is at least 60mm. Most preferably, the height of the platform is at least 80mm.

Preferably, the platform 200 has a compressive resistance greater than the midsole 5. More preferably, the platform is made of a substantially rigid material that will not deform significantly under the weight of a wearer. :is

The platform 200 may comprise one or more of: acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) ; Blown Polyurethane (BPU) ; and/or Preferably, the platform 200 and the wall 250 may together form a unitary body.

The wall 250 may extend from the upper surface of the platform (i.e. the surface that is uppermost when the item of footwear is worn) to define a recess in which the midsole is held. The recess may have a lower surface 220 and sides 225 against which the midsole 5 abuts. Preferably, the midsole 5 substantially fills the recess. Preferably, the periphery of the uppermost surface of the midsole 5 is substantially flush with the uppermost extent of the wall 250 where they meet.

Preferably, the sides 225 are sloped outwardly around the periphery, such that the midsole 5 is wider at its upper face 110 than at the lower face 120 abutting the lower surface 220 of the reoess.

Although not essential, the platform 200 may be tapered such that the base surface (the surface arranged to face the ground when the item of footwear is worn) is smaller than the upper surface (the surface on which the wearer stands) In preferred embodiments, the midsole 5 comprises a further layer 300 fcr ccntacting the foot of a user provided on the upper face 110 of the midsole layer 100. The further layer 300 may comprise cork. The further layer 300 may be thin relative to the main layer 100 of the midsole 5. Preferably, the further layer is between 1mm and 2mm thick.

In preferred embodiments, a lowermost layer 400 for contacting the ground is provided on the lower face 230 of the platform 200. The lowermost layer 400 may comprise rubber. Preferably, the lowermost layer has a thickness of between 3mm and 5mm.

The midsole 5 is preferably adhered to the lower surface 220 of the platform 200. Preferably, the midsole 5 is additionally adhered to the wall 250 of the platform 200.

Claims

CLAIJYIS: 1. An item of footwear having a sole comprising: a platform having formed therein a recess; and a midsole substantially filling the recess, wherein: the midsole comprises a layer of a first material; the platform is formed from a second material; and the first material has a lower compressive resistance than the second material.
2. The item of footwear of claim 1, wherein: the midsole has a frontal/toe region, a mid-foot region and a heel region; and the midsole is tapered such that it is thicker in the heel region than in the frontal/toe region.
3. The item of footwear of any preceding claim, wherein the recess is defined by a wall extending outwardly from the platform.
4. The item of footwear of claim 3, wherein the wall extends to substantially the same height as the midsole.
5. The item of footwear of claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the wall has a thickness in the range 9mm to 26mm.
6. The item of footwear of any preceding claim, wherein the layer of first material has a thickness in the range 2lmmto 26mm in a/the heel region.
7. The item of footwear of any preceding claim, wherein the layer of first material has a thickness in the range 9mm to 14mm in the a/the frontal /tce region.
8. The item of footwear of any preceding claim, wherein the layer of first material has a compressive resistance of not more than 48 on the Shore A scale.
9. The item of footwear of any preceding claim, wherein the platform is substantially rigid.
10. The item of footwear of any preceding claim, wherein the second material comprises one selected from the list of: ASS, SPOT, wood.
11. The item of footwear of any preceding claim, wherein the first material comprises one selected from the list of: EVA.
12. The item of footwear of any preceding claim, wherein a further layer is provided upcn the midsole, the further layer arranged for contacting the foot of a wearer.
13. The item of footwear of claim 11, wherein the further layer comprises cork.