SOLE STIFFENING DEVICE, PARTICULARLY FOR SPORTS SHOES

Abstract: Sole stiffening device, particularly for sports shoes such as climbing boots, ice boots, trekking boots, soccer shoes, or golf shoes, which is constituted by a semirigid insole (11) that can be temporarily compressed, with the interposition of at least one flexible element (10), inside a box-like mid-sole (5), arranged inside the sole. The device therefore allows to vary the rigidity of the sole simply by varying the position of the semirigid insole with respect to the box-like mid-sole.

Description: SOLE STIFFENING DEVICE, PARTICULARLY FOR SPORTS SHOES Technical Field The present invention relates to a sole stiffening device, particularly for sports shoes such as climbing boots, ice boots, trekking boots, soccer shoes, or golf shoes. Background Art The problem of having a sole with a selected rigidity according to the sport to be practiced is currently strongly felt in sports shoes. For example, when approaching the climb, the climber requires shoes with relatively soft soles, while for climbing the rock face, the shoes must have a rigid sole. Therefore, in such instance, as in many other instances, the user must have different shoes with different characteristics as regards the rigidity of the sole. A climber, for example, must carry at least two pairs of shoes, thus increasing the weight of the load to be carried and consequently the time and effort required for the climb. US Patent No. 4,261,114 discloses a ski boot having, at the sole, which is rigid, two longitudinal seats for bars arrangeable thereat. The insertion or removal of the bars inside the seats allows to increase the rigidity of the sole, but this has some drawbacks: first of all, if the bars are not used, the user must store them somewhere, for example in a pocket or in a rucksack, and might lose them. Moreover, if the bars are not used, soil or mud may enter the seats and therefore make it subsequently difficult, if not impossible, to insert the bars. Furthermore, the insertion and extraction of the bars require tools to fit them inside the seats and to extract them at least partially in order to remove them by hand. Disclosure of the Invention The aim of the present invention is to solve the described technical problems, eliminating the drawbacks of the prior art, by providing a device that allows to quickly and easily stiffen the sole of a sports shoe according to the specific sport to be practiced. Within the scope of the above aim, an important object is to provide a device that can be activated without requiring the user to have any specific tool or instrument. Another important object is to provide a device that is structurally very simple and does not substantially alter the shape, bulk, or weight of the shoe whereto it is applied. Another object is to provide a device that is reliable and safe in use and has low manufacturing costs. This aim, these objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a sole stiffening device, particularly for sports shoes, characterized in that it comprises a semirigid insole that can be temporarily compressed, with the interposition of at least one flexible element, inside a box-like mid-sole arranged inside said sole. Brief Description of the Drawings Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a particular but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a sectional partial side view of a sports shoe having the device, shown in the activation condition, according to the invention; figure 2 is a detail enlarged side view of the device in the deactivation condition; figure 3 is a view, similar to the preceding one, of the device in the activation condition; figure 4 is a top view of the device in the condition of figure 2. Ways of carrying out the Invention With reference to the above figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a sports shoe having an upper, or shell, 2 and a sole 3 interacting directly with the ground. The stiffening device, generally designated by the reference numeral 4, can be arranged inside the upper, or shell, 2 and is constituted by a box-like mid-sole 5 arranged, optionally in a removable manner, on the sole 3 inside the upper or shell 2. The box-like mid-sole 5 has a shoulder 6 arranged perimetrically at least at the heel and toe regions of the foot, and has, in a downward region and advantageously at the heel region 7 and at the metatarsal region 8, first protrusions designated by the reference numerals 9a and 9b arranged within complementarilv shaped seats formed inside the sole 3. This allows optimum positioning of the box-like mid- sole, avoiding possible mutual movements of the mid-sole and of the sole. The shoulder 6 may of course also affect the entire perimeter of the box-like mid-sole 5. The stiffening device is also constituted by at least one flexible element 10 that can affect part of the box- like mid-sole 5 or can be constituted, for example, by a plantar insert. The insert is shaped complementarilv to said box-like mid-sole and is optionally thinner. The stiffening device is also constituted by a semirigid insole 11 that can be temporarily compressed inside the box-like mid-sole 5 by means of the compression of the flexible element 10. The insole 11 is shaped complementarily to the box¬ like mid-sole 5 without of course having a periraetric shoulder, but having second protrusions 12a and 12b at the first protrusions 9a and 9b. The compression of the flexible element and therefore the temporary accommodation of the insole 11 inside the box-like mid-sole 5 occurs by means that are constituted for example by a lever 13, one end 14 whereof is provided with an eccentric element and is pivoted transversely at the stem 15 of a screw 16. The screw 16 passes through the box-like mid-sole 5, the flexible element 10 and the insole 11. The head 17 of the screw 16 is locked below the box-like mid-sole 5. The use of the stiffening device is therefore as follows: in the condition shown in figures 1 and 3, the lever 13 is activated and therefore turned so that its end 14, provided with the eccentric element, pushes the insole 11 inside the perimetric shoulder 6 of the box-like mid- sole 5. The lever 13 does not cause discomfort because it is arranged at the protrusions 12a and 12b formed on said insole 11. Advantageously, an inner sole 18 can be placed above said insole to increase the user's comfort. In this condition, the sports shoe has a very rigid sole, because no mutual movement is possible among the components of said stiffening device during the rolling phase of walking. The flexibility of the sole is in fact strongly limited, because the insole 11 prevents the deformation of the box-like mid-sole 5. If the user wishes to achieve elasticity for the sole, it is sufficient to turn the lever 13 as shown in figures 2 and 4, thus allowing the insole 11 to protrude beyond the perimetric shoulder 6 of the mid-sole 5. In this manner, during walking the insole 11 moves longitudinally with respect to the box-like mid-sole 5 when the sole flexes, thus making the sole of the shoe more elastic and flexible during rolling. In this condition the components of the device can in fact deform freely with respect to each other. It has thus been observed that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a device having been provided that allows to achieve the desired stiffening of the sole of a sports shoe by acting quickly and easily at the levers without needing any instrument or tool and simply after merely removing the shoe. The user can thus have a single shoe that can effectively vary the rigidity at the sole and can therefore be used for different applications, such as for example climbing or trekking. The device is also structurally very simple and does not alter the overall aesthetic appearance of the shoe or its weight. The device according to the invention is susceptible of numerous modifications and variations , all of which are within the scope of the same inventive concept . Likewi se , the materi al s and the dimensions that constitute the individual components cf the device may also be the most pertinent according to the speci f ic requirements .

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Sole stiffening device, particularly for sports shoes, characterized in that it comprises a semirigid insole (11) that can be temporarily compressed, with the interposition of at least one flexible element (10), inside a box-like mid-sole (5) arranged inside said sole (3). 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said box-like mid-sole (5) has a perimetric shoulder (6) affecting at least the heel (7) and toe regions of the foot. 3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said box-like mid-sole (5) has first protrusions (9a,9b) at the heel (7) and metatarsal (8) regions, said first protrusions being arranged within complementarily shaped seats formed inside said sole. 4. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one flexible element (10) affects all of said box-like mid-sole (5). 5. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one flexible element (10) partially affects said box-like mid-sole (5). 6. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one flexible element (10) is constituted by a plantar insert shaped complementarily to said box-like mid-sole (5). 7. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said semirigid insole (11) can be compressed temporarily and arranged inside said box- like mid-sole (5). 8. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said insole (11) is shaped complementarily to said box-like mid-sole (5) except for said shoulder, said insole having second protrusions (12a,12b) at said first protrusions (9a,9b). 9. Device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a lever (13) having one end (14) provided with an eccentric element and pivoted transversely at the stem (15) of a screw (16) passing through said box-like mid-soie (5), through said flexible element (10), and through said insole (11); said screw having a head (17) locked below said box-like mid- sole (5). 10. Device according to one or more of the preceding c l aims , characteri zed in that said lever ( 13 ) is retractably accommodated within said second protrusions ( 12a, 12b ) .

Inventors: FOFFANO MASSIMO, PEROTTO RICCARDO, FOFFANO, MASSIMO, PEROTTO, RICCARDO
Applicants: FOFFANO MASSIMO, NORDICA SPA, PEROTTO RICCARDO, FOFFANO, MASSIMO, NORDICA S.P.A., PEROTTO, RICCARDO
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A43B5
IPC codes: A43B5