Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20110138651A1/en
Timestamp: 2020-02-18 06:17:53
Document Index: 615942043

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 30', 'art 30', 'art 30', 'art 30', 'art 30', 'art 30', 'art 30', 'art 130', 'art 130', 'art 130', 'art 230', 'art 230', 'arts 130', 'arts 130', 'arts 130', 'arts 230', 'art.\n16', 'art.\n17', 'art.\n21']

US20110138651A1 - Shock absorbing device for shoe sole in rear foot part - Google Patents
Shock absorbing device for shoe sole in rear foot part Download PDF
US20110138651A1
US20110138651A1 US12/930,684 US93068411A US2011138651A1 US 20110138651 A1 US20110138651 A1 US 20110138651A1 US 93068411 A US93068411 A US 93068411A US 2011138651 A1 US2011138651 A1 US 2011138651A1
US12/930,684
US8544190B2 (en
2007-03-20 Priority to US66341807A priority
2011-01-13 Application filed by Asics Corp filed Critical Asics Corp
2011-01-13 Priority to US12/930,684 priority patent/US8544190B2/en
2011-06-16 Publication of US20110138651A1 publication Critical patent/US20110138651A1/en
2012-08-13 Assigned to ASICS CORPORATION reassignment ASICS CORPORATION ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: NISHIWAKI, TSUYOSHI, SENDA, SHINJI
2013-10-01 Publication of US8544190B2 publication Critical patent/US8544190B2/en
230000000994 depressed Effects 0 claims 7
210000002683 Foot Anatomy 0 description 241
238000005452 bending Methods 0 description 105
229920001971 elastomers Polymers 0 description 73
In the shoe sole disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,642, hardness of the medial stabilizing pod is larger than that of the lateral stabilizing pod, but the outer sole of this shoe sole is not separated. In the shoe soles of U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,320 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,694,642, pod-like deformation elements are not arranged at three positions or more.
In the present invention, by the use of the term “join”, it is meant to include both direct joining and indirect joining.
Note that the “elastic proportional limit” means a maximum stress in the range where the relationship between the change of the compression load applied to the compression deformation member and the change of the amount of the compression of this member is proportional, i.e., where the change of the strain is proportional to the change of the compression stress.
In the present invention, Young's modulus of the support element or Young's modulus of the compression deformation member is smaller than that of the bending deformation member. Here, “Young's modulus” means a ratio of the stress to the strain in the beginning PI of the deformation of the material, as shown in FIG. 23.
Furthermore, since the deformation elements are substantially separated in the rear foot part to be arranged at least three regions and the area of the bottom surface of the outer sole is smaller than the area of the bottom surface of the support element, the weight saving of the shoe sole can be enhanced. Note that, in the present invention, the term “the area of bottom surface of the support element” means a projected area of the support element viewed from the bottom side, and that the term “the area of bottom surface of the outer sole” means a projected area of the outer sole viewed from the bottom side. In view of the weight saving and the stability of the shoe sole, it is preferred that the deformation elements are arranged at three to seven regions in the rear foot part, and it is most preferred that the deformation elements are arranged at three to five regions.
In the present invention, the term “the deformation elements and the outer sole elements are substantially separated in the rear foot part” means that a continuity of deformation between regions of the rear foot part is substantially broken or extremely small, and the term includes a case where a plurality of the deformation elements are separately made and arranged spaced apart from each other and a case where only either of the bending deformation members and the compression deformation members constituting the deformation elements are physically separated.
In this aspect, the quotient obtained by dividing the area of the bottom surface of the support element by the area of the bottom surface of the outer sole is set at about 1.3 or more in the rear foot part. This quotient is more preferably set at about 1.5 or more, and, most preferably set at about 1.7 or more. In the present invention, the term “the rear foot part of the foot” means a portion of the foot in the rear of the arch (plantar arch) of the foot and this portion includes a portion covering a calcaneal bone of the foot.
In the present invention, the term “the vertical compressive stiffness per unit area of the deformation element” means a value obtained by dividing a vertical load necessary for a predetermined amount (for example, 1 mm) of vertical compression of the deformation element by an area of a bottom surface of the deformation element. Note that the vertical compression is not limited to compression deformation and includes various deformations, such as bending deformation and shearing deformation.
As shown in FIG. 3, the deformation element 3 includes a tubular part 30 and a cushioning member (compression deformation member) 35 provided in an internal space of the tubular part 30. Young's modulus of the cushioning member 35 is smaller than that of the tubular part 30. A material forming the cushioning member 35 may be, for example, a rubber-like member or foam of EVA. This rubber-like member may be a gel (commercial name for cushioning member), and so, hereinafter, the cushioning member is referred to as “gel” in the first to fourth embodiments. Since load is concentrated on the deformation element, great stress is generated therein. Therefore, it is preferred that the elastic proportional limit of the compression deformation member is larger than that of the midsole M. It makes this compression deformation member less likely to be subjected to permanent deformation even if the shoe is worn over and over again. In a case where a material forming the cushioning member 35 is gel, it is preferred that Young's modulus of the gel is about 0.1 kgf/mm2 to about 1.0 kgf/mm2. In this embodiment, the cushioning member 35 is arranged so as to be contact with the upper portion 32 and the lower portion 31 approximately at the longitudinal center of the internal space of the tubular part 30.
As shown in FIG. 4( a), the upper portion 32 of the tubular part 30 is fit into the second midsole body 1B via the connecting member 4, and substantially whole of the lower portion 31 of the tubular part 30 protrudes (bulges) downwards further than the second midsole body 1B. Substantially whole of the lower portion 31 of the tubular part 30 is covered with the second outer sole 2B. The second outer sole 2B is joined to the second midsole body 1B in the vicinity of the front and rear end portions of the connecting member 4.
FIG. 12( a) shows the state of the shoe sole at the time of the “heel-contact”. In this state, the outer sole 2 on the lateral side of the rear foot part firstly lands on the ground and the rear part of the lower portion 31 of the tubular part 130 in the rear of the lateral side of the rear foot part performs a little bending deformation. As shown in FIGS. 12( b) and 12(c), the lower portion 31 of the tubular part 130 in the rear of the lateral side of the foot performs large bending deformation during the period from the “heel-contact” to the “foot-flat”, and therefore, the tubular part 130 compresses in the vertical direction. Subsequently, at the time of the “foot-flat”, as shown in FIG. 12( d), the lower portion 31 of the tubular part 230 in the fore of the lateral side of the rear foot part performs large bending deformation, and therefore, the tubular part 230 compresses in the vertical direction. At the time of the “mid-stance”, the outer sole 2 below the tubular parts 130, 230 gradually disengage from the ground. Then, at the time of the “heel-rise”, as shown in FIG. 12( e), the outer sole 2 completely disengages from the ground and both the tubular parts 130, 230 returns to the respective original shape.
During a series of motions from the time of the “heel-contact” to the time of the “heel-rise”, the lower portions 31 of the tubular parts 130, 230, 330 and 430 perform bending deformation and, as shown in FIGS. 12( c) and 13(c), end portions 233, 433 in the front side of the tubular parts 230, 430 displace a little in the longitudinal direction with respect to the midsole M. The displacement of the end portions 233, 433 allows large bending deformation of the lower portions 31. It is speculated that the upper portions 32 is preferably curved to some extent so as to allow displacement of the end portions 233, 433.
The first deformation element 301 is disposed at the heel side of the rear foot part. The second deformation element 302 is disposed forward F of the first deformation element 301 on the lateral side of the rear foot part. These deformation elements 301, 302 includes a figure eight shaped portion 61 having a generally figure eight shaped plane section and gels 52, 53. The figure eight shaped portion 61 is made of foam of EVA. Young's modulus of the gels 52, 53 is smaller than that of the figure eight shaped portion 61. Helical grooves are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the figure eight shaped portion 61 and the gels 52 are fit into the grooves. Two central holes are provided in the figure eight shaped portion 61 and the columnar gels 53 are fit into the holes. Helical, grooves are provided on the outer circumferential surface of the columnar gels 53.
As shown in FIG. 8 (a), each of the medial and lateral deformation elements 303, 302 is inclined a little toward the medial-lateral center as it go upward.
As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the medial and lateral deformation elements 303, 302 each include an upper portion 71, a lower portion 72 and columnar gels 54 sandwiched between the upper and lower portions 71, 72, but, unlike the third embodiment, does not include the connecting member. Young's modulus of a material forming the upper portion 71 is larger than that of the material forming the midsole M.
The midsole M is, for example, formed of a material suitable for shock absorption, such as resin foam of EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer), polyurethane or the like. The midsole M can support at least the whole of the rear foot part of the foot and absorb the shock of landing by undergoing compression deformation due to the shock. Above the midsole M and the insole, the upper U suitable for covering the instep of the foot is disposed, as shown by two-dot chain line in FIG. 14A, 14B. The outer sole 2 is made of a material having higher abrasion resistance than the midsole M and has a ground contact surface 2 a that contacts the ground surface or the floor surface at landing.
As shown in FIG. 20, 21A, 21B, a first roll-up portion 119 is integrally formed with the midsole M at the periphery of the rear foot part so as to be rolling upwards along the side face from the bottom face of the foot. Outside the first roll-up portion 119, a second roll-up portion 149 is arranged to be extending along the first roll-up portion 119. In addition, outside the second roll-up portion 149, a third roll-up portion (an example of another roll-up portion) 139, which is formed continuously from the upper plate portion 132 of the bending deformation member 30A, is arranged to be extending along the first roll-up portion 119. The first to third roll-up portions 119, 149, 139 enable the bending deformation member 30A to support easily a load transferred from the midsole M at the periphery of the rear foot part.
As shown in FIG. 22D, 22E, the rubber-like member 135 may have a hollow portion 135 a or a slit 135 d. Corner portions of the rubber-like member 135 may be rounded so that shearing deformation occurs therein.
15. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part comprising:
a vertical compressive stiffness of the deformation element disposed on a lateral side of the rear foot part is smaller than that of the deformation element disposed on a medial side of the rear foot part.
16. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to claim 15, wherein
the deformation elements are provided depending on the number of the regions and
an average of vertical compressive stiffness per unit area of the deformation elements disposed on the lateral side of the rear foot part is smaller than that of the deformation elements disposed on the medial side of the rear foot part.
17. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to claim 15, wherein
the support element includes a first roll-up portion rolling upwards along a side face from a bottom face of the foot,
each deformation element includes a material having larger Young's modulus than the material forming the support element, and
the material having the larger Young's modulus constitute a third roll-up portion rolling upwards outside the first roll-up portion of the support element.
18. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to claim 15, wherein
in at least one of the regions, the deformation element is more difficult to compress vertically in medial and lateral side portions than in a central portion in the medial-lateral direction.
19. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to claim 15, wherein
the deformation elements are arranged to be substantially separated in the longitudinal direction in the rear foot part of a foot,
the deformation elements include: a first deformation element disposed at a rear end of the rear foot part; a second deformation element disposed forward of the first deformation element on a lateral side of the rear foot part; and a third deformation element disposed forward of the first deformation element on a medial side of the rear foot part,
a vertical compressive stiffness of the third deformation element is larger than that of the first deformation element and larger than that of the second deformation element.
20. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part comprising:
both the deformation elements and the outer sole elements are substantially separated in a medial-lateral direction and/or a longitudinal direction in the rear foot part to be arranged at least three regions of the rear foot part.
21. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part comprising:
the first, second and third deformation elements each has a predetermined height, forming a depressed area surrounded by the first deformation element in a medial side of the depressed area, the second deformation element in a lateral side of the depressed area, and the third deformation element in a rearward of the depressed area,
a first groove comparting the first deformation element and the second deformation element and extending from the depressed area to an outer circumferential edge of the rear foot part is formed between the first and second deformation elements,
a second groove comparting the first deformation element and the third deformation element and extending from the depressed area to the outer circumferential edge of the rear foot part is formed between the first and third deformation elements.
22. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to claim 21, wherein
a length of the third deformation element in the medial side is longer, in a longitudinal direction of the foot, than a length of the second deformation element in the lateral side.
23. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to claim 22, wherein
a first opening portion that the first groove opens in the outer circumferential edge is located anterior to a second opening portion that the second groove opens in the outer circumferential edge.
24. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to claim 23, wherein
a rear end of the first opening portion is located anterior to a front end of the second opening portion.
25. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to claim 21, wherein
the third deformation element is continuous from the second groove to a front end of the rear foot part,
the second deformation element is provided between the first groove and the front end of the rear foot part, and
a third groove extending from the depressed area toward a lateral edge of the foot is formed on the second deformation element.
26. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to claim 21, wherein
further comprising a connecting member that is interposed between the support element and the deformation elements, the connecting member being joined to the bottom surface of the support element and joined to an upper surface of each deformation element, wherein
27. A shock absorbing device for a shoe sole in a rear foot part according to claim 26, wherein
US12/930,684 2004-09-30 2011-01-13 Shock absorbing device for shoe sole in rear foot part Active 2027-12-18 US8544190B2 (en)
US66341807A true 2007-03-20 2007-03-20
US12/930,684 US8544190B2 (en) 2004-09-30 2011-01-13 Shock absorbing device for shoe sole in rear foot part
US66341807A Continuation 2007-03-20 2007-03-20
US20110138651A1 true US20110138651A1 (en) 2011-06-16
US8544190B2 US8544190B2 (en) 2013-10-01
US11/663,418 Active 2027-12-25 US7877899B2 (en) 2004-09-30 2005-05-13 Shock absorbing device for shoe sole in rear foot part
US12/930,684 Active 2027-12-18 US8544190B2 (en) 2004-09-30 2011-01-13 Shock absorbing device for shoe sole in rear foot part
WO2018070045A1 (en) * 2016-10-14 2018-04-19 株式会社アシックス Shoe
JP3270328B2 (en) 1996-04-24 2002-04-02 株式会社アシックス Shoe sole
JP2002330801A (en) 2001-05-09 2002-11-19 Asics Corp Cushioning structure of shoe sole
DE112005002327B4 (en) 2017-10-26
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:NISHIWAKI, TSUYOSHI;SENDA, SHINJI;SIGNING DATES FROM 20061226 TO 20070105;REEL/FRAME:028778/0735