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OutsoleRelated Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Soles, CushionOutsole description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20050252038, Outsole. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The present invention pertains to an outsole, in particular, for athletic shoes which can also be elastically deformed in the tangential direction. [0002] In this context, the term deformation in the tangential direction refers to a deformation in the direction tangential or parallel to the plane of the outsole or its outer surface which, for example, is caused by shearing. Such a deformation differs from a deformation in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the outsole or its outer surface which, for example, is caused by compression. On a horizontal surface, the tangential direction approximately coincides with the horizontal direction, and the perpendicular direction approximately coincides with the vertical direction. STATE OF THE ART [0003] Outsoles with elastically resilient outsoles are known in numerous variations, wherein different elastic materials of various hardnesses are used. There also exist outsoles with embedded air or gel cushions. These cushions are intended to elastically absorb the shocks that occur while running and to thusly protect, in particular, the joints of the runner while simultaneously providing a comfortable running experience. [0004] Most athletic shoes currently available on the market have spring characteristics that primary provide a spring effect in the vertical direction or in the direction perpendicular to the running surface, namely in the form of a compression of the sole. However, these outsoles are relatively rigid in the horizontal or tangential direction and do not yield sufficiently if the runner's foot contacts the ground obliquely and with a slight propulsive force. This rigidity in the horizontal or tangential direction is required because a more significant deformability of the sole in the horizontal direction would inevitably result in a floating effect. This would negatively influence the stability of the runner. In addition, the runner would lose at least a certain distance with each step because the sole would initially have to slightly deform in the respectively opposite direction when the runner pushes off in the running direction. Naturally, this floating effect can already be observed in known athletic shoes to a certain degree. EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present invention is based on the objective of disclosing an outsole with a simple design which makes it possible to eliminate the above-described floating effect and can also be realized sufficiently soft and resilient in the tangential direction. [0006] This objective is attained with an outsole that can also be deformed in the tangential direction and is characterized by the fact that it essentially is only rigid to a tangential deformation beyond at least one critical point of deformation in the region that is deformed to this critical point. [0007] If the at least one critical point of deformation and the load exerted upon the outsole required to reach this critical point of deformation are suitably chosen by adjusting the hardness or resilience of the outsole accordingly, the sole according to the invention can be realized such that it is also soft and resilient tangentially over a broad range of deformation, and that the critical point of deformation is only reached to a locally limited degree while running, namely in the zone of the sole that is subjected to the maximum load, and only around the time at which this maximum load occurs. [0008] This not only results in a sufficient shock absorption if the runner's foot contacts the ground obliquely and/or with a slight propulsive force, but also in a superior stability at the respective point of impact or load application, from which the runner is able to directly push off again without any loss in distance. The previously described floating effect is prevented in this fashion. [0009] It goes without saying that the critical point of deformation, at which the tangential deformability of the sole according to the invention is terminated, depends on the type of deformation. The deformation does not necessarily have to occur exclusively in the tangential direction. A critical deformation can also be reached during a purely perpendicular or vertical deformation. [0010] According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the critical point of deformation is only reached after a tangential and/or perpendicular deformation path that is greater than 20% of the deformable thickness of the sole, if applicable, even greater than 50% of this thickness. The absolute deformation value may easily reach a few cm. [0011] With respect to constructive considerations and the materials used, the outsole according to the invention may, in principle, be realized in different ways. Various embodiments are described below with reference to the figures. The following description only pertains to those embodiments in which, for example, two layers of the sole are separated, in particular, by an elastically deformable element, and in which the deformable element has a sufficient deformability and makes it possible to achieve a frictional, non-positive and/or positive engagement between the two layers, namely while essentially preventing the two layers from being displaced parallel to one another. [0012] In a further development of the invention, the sole can be provided with means for detachable fixing to an intermediate sole of a shoe. If the sole is executed as multi-part in this case, the individual parts can be attached independently of one another and/or, e.g. in the event of wear, can be individually exchanged. In this situation, differently constructed parts could also be made available and/or individual designs could be produced which are especially adapted to the respective needs and the running style of the individual runner. BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE FIGURES [0013] The invention is described in greater detail below with reference to embodiments that are illustrated in the figures. The figures show: [0014] FIG. 1, a side view of an athletic shoe with an outsole according to a first embodiment of the invention, namely a) while not being subjected to a load, b) while being subjected to a transversely forward load and c) while pushing off; [0015] FIG. 2, a rear view of the athletic shoe shown in FIG. 1, namely a) while not being subjected to a load and b) while being subjected to a laterally oblique load; [0016] FIG. 3, detailed representations of the hollow elements of the outsole shown in FIG. 1, namely a) while not being subjected to a load, b) while being subjected to a transversely forward load and c) while being subjected to a vertical load; [0017] FIG. 4, a side view of another embodiment of an outsole according to the invention which comprises tubular hollow elements between the two layers, namely a) while not being subjected to a load and b) while being subjected to a transversely forward load; [0018] FIG. 5, a side view of an embodiment of an outsole according to the invention which is divided into a ball section and a heel section and comprises two layers that are connected to one another by means of deformable webs, namely a) while not being subjected to a load and b) while being subjected to a transversely forward load; [0019] FIG. 6, an outsole according to the invention with an enclosed volume that is filled with a medium, [0020] FIG. 7, a partially sectioned representation of a further outsole according to the invention which is provided with a toothing; Continue reading about Outsole... Full patent description for Outsole Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Outsole patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Outsole or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Damping element for a shoe Next Patent Application: Method for providing an insole for footwear for increased sensory stimulation and an insole suited for the method Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Outsole patent info. 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