Abstract:
A composite outsole including a carbon fiber portion and a titanium portion. The titanium portion is molded to the carbon fiber portion using adhesives and the like. The titanium portion provides increased strength and ductility to allow for additional features in the outsole, such as, for example, air flow vents that increase circulation for breathability and moisture management as well as reduce drag.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     Numerous cycling shoes exist on the market for cyclists of all abilities.  FIG. 1  shows a conventional cycling shoe  100 . Cycling shoe  100  comprises an upper  102  coupled to an outsole  104 . Outsole  104  and upper  102  are coupled or lasted using conventional techniques. Upper  102  frequently has a tightening system  106 , which is shown as a series of straps  106  or equivalent that extend from outsole  104  and anchor the outsole  104  to the shoe  100 . Straps  106  frequently are coupled a fastening system  108 . Fastening system  108  is used to tighten the shoe about the foot of a cyclist. Fastening system  108  can be a series of straps having hook and pile (or hook and loop) material, or other closure systems, such as a canopy closure system described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/631,572, titled SHOE TIGHTENING SYSTEM, filed Jul. 30, 2003, and incorporated herein by reference. A fabric  110  typically covers upper  102  and underlies fastening system  108 . Fabric  110  preferably is a breathable fabric, such as, a mesh, or open cell foam fabric, but could be other types of breathable fabrics or moisture management fabrics as are generally known in the art, such as, for example, polyesters, nylons, blends, or the like. Upper  102  also has a heel  112 . Heel  112  may be a wear resistant fabric, such as, leather or canvas, but frequently is a molded plastic or other material as is known in the art. 
     Outsole  104  comprises a heel portion  120 , a forefoot portion  122 , and a toe portion  124 . Outsole  104  also has an upper surface  126  approximate upper  102  and a lower surface  128  opposite upper surface  126 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , shoe  100  may have one or more studs  200  coupled to outsole  104 . Also, shoe  100  have a pedal connect part  202 , as is generally known in the art. 
     Conventionally, outsole  104  is an integral unit formed from carbon fiber material. Instead of carbon fiber, some outsoles  104  are formed of high density, rigid plastics, such as, for example, ABS or PVC. Conventional carbon fiber outsoles have slots, holes, or other connection points to faciliate coupling studs  200  or cleats to outsole  104 . 
     While conventional outsoles  104  are function, they suffer many drawbacks. Thus, it would be desirous to develop an improved outsole for athletic shoes. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to composite outsole and, more particularly, to an athletic shoe outsole comprising a carbon portion and a titanium portion. 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     To attain the advantages and in accordance with the present invention, a shoe with a composite outsole is provided. The composite outsole comprises a carbon fiber portion and a titanium portion. The titanium portion is molded to the carbon fiber portion using adhesives and the like. The titanium portion provides increased strength and ductility to allow for additional features in the outsole, such as, for example, air flow vents that increase air circulation for breathability and moisture management as well as reduce drag. 
     The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles thereof. Like items in the drawings are referred to using the same numerical reference. 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevation view of a conventional cycling shoe; 
         FIG. 2  is side elevation of the conventional cycling shoe shown in  FIG. 1  with studs; 
         FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of a composite outsole consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the composite outsole of  FIG. 3  consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the composite outsole of  FIG. 3  consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a side-by-side exploded view of the carbon fiber portion and the titanium portion of the composite outsole of  FIG. 3  consistent with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 7  is an alternative carbon fiber portion of the composite outsole consistent with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention will now be described with reference to  FIGS. 1-7 . While the present invention is described with particular reference to an outsole used with a cycling shoe, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize on reading the disclosure, that the composite outsole could be used with other shoes, such as, for example, track shoes, baseball shoes, football, shoes, soccer shoes, golf shoes, or the like. These examples to other athletic shoes are exemplary and non-limiting. 
     Referring first to  FIG. 3 , outsole  300  is shown. Outsole  300  could be coupled to upper  102  in place of outsole  104 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Outsole  300  includes a carbon portion  302  and a titanium portion  304 . Carbon portion  302  is typically molded carbon fiber, but could be other carbon composites. Outsole  300  may have one or more studs  306  attached, generally to the carbon portion  302  using conventional techniques, such as, for example, slots or holes in carbon portion  302 . Studs  306  could be connected to carbon portion  302  in a manner similar to attaching titanium portion  304  to carbon portion  302  as explained in more detail below as well. Outsole  300  can be contoured similar to a conventional outsole such that, carton portion  302  includes a carbon bottom  308  and an up-turned outer rim  310 . Titanium portion  304  also has an outer wall  312  extending below carbon bottom  308  to a Ti bottom  314 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a bottom plan view of outsole  300  is shown. As best seen in  FIG. 4 , Ti bottom  314  has a plurality of holes  402 . Holes  402  provide an airflow path to allow air circulation, which increase breathability and reduce drag. While holes  402  can be placed anywhere on Ti bottom  314 , it is preferable to place at least one hole  402  in a toe area  404  and at least one hole  402  in a heel area  406 . As can be appreciated, wall  312  and Ti bottom  314  define a generally open area or volume  408 . Area  408  is open to provide air flow, but may be substantially filled in if desired. In other words area  408  only needs to provide an air flow path A (best seen in  FIG. 5 ) from intakes to exhausts. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a top plan view of outsole  300  is provided. As best seen in  FIG. 5 , outsole  300  has one or more air flow paths as shown by arrow A. While arrows A show a possible air flow path, air circulation in volume  408  would not be constrained to the particular path shown, but suggest to typical fluid mechanics. Further, volume  408  could be partially filled with channels left for airflow. 
     As shown, carbon bottom  308  has an inner edge  510  defining an opening  512  into which titanium portion  304  fits. In particular, outer wall  312  has a top edge  514  proximate inner edge  510 . Tabs  502  extend radially outward from top edge  514  over inner edge  510  and over a portion of carbon bottom  308 . An adhesive layer  504  between tabs  502  and carbon bottom  308  couples titanium portion  304  to carbon portion  302 .  FIG. 6  is identical to  FIG. 5 , but shows carbon portion  302  and titanium portion  304  in side-by-side orientation for clarity. 
       FIG. 7  shows an alternative arrangement for carbon portion  302 . Instead of carbon bottom  308  having an inner edge  510  defining an opening  512 , carbon bottom  308  may be substantially solid with a plurality of slots  702 . The plurality of slots  702  substantially align with tabs  502 , such that tabs  502  coupled to titanium portion  304  extend through slots  702  and extend over a portion of carbon bottom  308 . Adhesive  504  would still couple titanium portion  304  to carbon portion  302 . In this embodiment, tabs  502  could extend radially outward as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , or they could extend radially inward, or a combination thereof. 
     While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.