"FOOTWEAR SOLE AND FOOTWEAR"

[0001] The present invention relates to a footwear sole, preferably a footwear for jogging, and footwear comprising such sole.

[0002] It is known using technical shoes during physical training sessions. In particular for the running or jogging activities different types of footwear are available on the market which provide an increased shock- absorbing power at the heels, on which the impact of the body on the ground is discharged first and to a great extent .

[0003] On the other end, the use of shock-absorbing footwear for jogging in the above-mentioned manner requires the presence of an increased thickness under the heel of the user, and therefore implies a greater moment of inertia at the fulcrum of the ankle^ and an earlier contact of the foot with the ground. Furthermore, this type of footwear requires significant constrictions to the plantar arches, especially in the longitudinal direction (that is, along the extension of the foot) because of the constraint generated by the upper and the "shell" support generally inserted under the plantar arch.

[0004] The present invention falls within the previous context, seeking to provide a sole and footwear configured to promote the natural movement of the foot while running, and specifically capable of having the user feel the sensation of running barefoot (being nevertheless protected) and suitable for reducing, the metabolic consumption needed to perform jogging activities.

[0005] Such object is attained by means of a sole according to claim 1, and by means of a footwear according to claim 11. The dependent claims show preferred embodiment variants .

[0006] The object of the present invention will now be described in detail, with the aid of the attached drawing tables, wherein:

[0007] - figure 1 shows a perspective bottom view of a sole object of the present invention, according to a possible embodiment;

[0008] - figure 2 is an exploded side view of a piece of footwear provided with the sole of figure 1;

[0009] - figure 3 is a side view of the boot shown in figure 2, on the opposite side with respect to that shown in previous illustration;

[0010] - figure 4 shows a plan view of the sole according to the embodiment of figure 1.

[0011] With reference to the above-mentioned tables, reference numeral 10 indicates, in its entirety, a piece of footwear comprising a sole 1 object of the present invention, according to any one of the embodiments illustrated hereinafter.

[0012] According to the embodiment shown in the tables, footwear 10 is a footwear for jogging, or in any case for performing physical locomotor activities.

[0013] The sole 1 is preferably glued to the footwear 10 , in particular to an upper or to a boot of the same footwear 10 . For example, such glueing takes place by means of a sole body 34 shaped complementary to a lower portion of the upper or of the boot.

[0014] According to a further variant, between the upper/boot and the sole 1 there may be interposed at least one insert 60 in a material capable of dampen the stresses produced on the sole.

[0015] For example, such insert may be placed in a seat obtained in the sole or in the boot/upper, preferably in a seat recessed with respect to a surrounding surface delimiting the same.

[0016] Preferably, such insert is thin or does not have a thickness capable of significantly increasing the momentum of inertia of the runner's ankle. For example, the term "thin" may mean a thickness equal to or lower than 8 millimetres, optionally equal to or lower than 5 millimetres, advantageously equal to or greater than 1 millimetre.

[0017] In accordance with the illustrated variant, the footwear 10 preferably comprises a textile sock (for example in an elasticised fabric) having an inner side suitable for coming into contact with the foot and an outer side to which a plurality of protective elements in polymer material are applied so as to protect specific parts of the foot without limiting the movement thereof.

[0018] More specifically, such protective elements may be selected from the following list:

[0019] - a first element 42 suitable for overlapping a portion of the foot at Achilles tendon;

[0020] - a second element 44 suitable for overlapping a portion of the foot at heel;

[0021] - a third element 46 suitable for overlapping the phalanges, ligaments and distal tendons;

[0022] - a fourth element 48 suitable for overlapping the dorsal-lateral-ventral portion of the foot;

[0023] - a fifth element 50 suitable for overlapping a portion of the foot at the medial (or inner) longitudinal arch;

[0024] - a sixth element 52 suitable for overlapping a portion of the foot at the lateral (or outer) longitudinal arch; [0025] - a seventh element 54 suitable for overlapping a portion of the foot at the anterior metatarsal (or transverse) arch;

[0026] - an eighth element 56 suitable for overlapping a portion of the foot at the extensor muscle along the hallux; and/or

[0027] - a ninth element 58 suitable for overlapping a portion of the foot at the joint.

[0028] Preferably, the footwear 10 and the respective sole 1 are shape-coupled. For example, the sole 1 may delimit - in a portion facing the upper or the boot - an . inner compartment sized to accommodate at least a part of the upper/boot. For example, the sole body 34 delimits the above-mentioned inner compartment 62.

[0029] The sole 1 comprises a support surface 2 extending in a main direction of extension X (for example parallel to the longitudinal axis of the foot of the user) between a heel portion 1" and a front sole portion 1' across a transition portion 4.

[0030] Such portions 1', 1", 4 of the support surface 2 therefore lie side by side along direction X and preferably substantially take up all the lower part of the sole body 34.

[0031] According to a variant, the sole 1 is made by means of polymer co-moulding or overmoulding of the heel portion 1 " , of the front sole portion 1 ' and of the transition portion 4 on the sole body 34 , the latter being advantageously configured for attachment to an upper/boot 36 of the footwear 10 .

[0032] The heel portion 1 " delimits a plurality of entrance grooves 6 , 6 ' , incident to the main direction of extension X, which at an outer longitudinal rim 8 of the sole 1 have a reduced pitch compared to the corresponding pitch towards or at an inner longitudinal rim 12 .

[0033] In other words, the pitch of the grooves at the outer longitudinal rim 8 is lower compared to the same parameter in the area of the inner longitudinal rim 12 .

[0034] Preferably, the entrance grooves 6 , 6 ' converge towards the heel 20 of the sole 1 , in an externally offset position, for example with respect to a median longitudinal axis of the sole. According to a variant, the convergence area of the grooves may be that of impact of the sole one a walkable surface 32 , during a running activity.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the entrance grooves 6 , 6 ' are arched with the respective convexities 18 facing the transition portion 4 .

[0036] Furthermore, the front sole portion 1 ' delimits at least one spiral-shaped groove 14 . Advantageously, such groove is a rotational guide to the exit or the detachment of the sole from the walkable surface.

[0037] For example, as shown in figure 4 , the spiral-shaped groove 14 has an anti-clockwise winding for a right sole. Alternatively or in addition, a left sole may have a clockwise winding.

[0038] For example, the spiral-shaped groove 14 comprises a number of not less than three concentric coils, in particular three, four or five adjacent coils.

[0039] According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the pitch between adjacent coils 24 of the spiral-shaped groove 14 progressively increases towards the outside of such groove.

[0040] According to a further embodiment, the radially outermost portion 26 of the spiral-shaped groove 14 divides into one or more bifurcations 28 , 28 ' , for example into two or more bifurcations which advantageously diverge from each other in the form of rectilinear or curvilinear radiuses.

[0041] According to a preferred variant, the front sole portion 1 ' delimits two or more bifurcations 28 , 28 ' which extend towards a tip 30 of the sole 1 to facilitate the detachment of the sole from the walkable surface 32 . Optionally, at least one bifurcation branch may extend to the inner longitudinal rim 12 .

[0042] The transition portion 4 comprises at least one oblique rotational element 16 which, towards the front sole portion 1 ' , is directed at the inner longitudinal rim 12 to facilitate the twisting deformation of the sole 1 .

[0043] In other words, at least during the step of run wherein the weight of the user lies on the front sole portion 1 ' , the oblique rotational element allows connecting the front sole portion 1 ' and the heel portion in an articulated manner, so as to undergo itself a helical deformation and thus follow the joints movement.

[0044] According to an advantageous embodiment, the oblique rotational element 16 delimits within it at least one structural lightening scoring 22 . In this way, with equal volume occupied, such element 16 is lighter. Optionally, such scoring 22 may constitute an extension of at least one entrance groove 6 , 6 ' .

[0045] Innovatively, the sole and footwear object of the present invention solve the problems suffered in relation to the prior art.

[0046] Advantageously, the above-mentioned footwear allows containing the foot of the user without compressing it, reason why wearability of the footwear is much greater than conventional jogging footwear.

[0047] Moreover, the footwear object of the present invention provides the sensation of running barefoot which is advantageous not only in view of the absence of constrictions to the plantar arches, but also under a plurality of further standpoints.

[0048] Firstly, the absence ^" of a damper having high thickness under the heel allows reducing the momentum of inertia, and thus stresses, at the ankle.

[0049] Furthermore, the absence of a conventional damper forces the runner to a more metatarsal support of the foot, with a reduced incidence angle of the foot with respect to the walkable surface.

[0050] This leads to the further effect of taking advantage of the "natural" elasticity of the foot, that is, the flexibility provided by tendons and muscles, with benefits also under the aspect of physiological efficiency.

[0051] In fact, from scientific studies conducted, with the same other conditions (for example running speed, stride pace, slope of the path covered, etc.), the average metabolic consumption of the activity by means of the present footwear resulted to be lower than the consumption with conventional footwear.

[0052] Advantageously, the arrangement of the grooves shown hereinabove allows following the natural movement of the leg and joints in the entrance, intermediate and exit steps of the foot upon contact with the walkable surface. [0053] In fact, the geometry and arrangement of the grooves and/or the above-mentioned structures allow providing a structural guide aimed at following the movement of the foot during the rotation of the knee, and thus reducing (if not even eliminating) the micro-traumas deriving from such locomotor activity.

[0054] Advantageously, the sole and footwear object of the present invention are structurally simple, therefore extremely inexpensive for serial production.

[0055] Advantageously, the sole and footwear object of the present invention are non-slipping, therefore usable both for indoor and outdoor activities, and in any environmental condition.

[0056] In fact, the sole and footwear as described hereinabove improve the draining of water or other natural elements, for example slippery, which may interpose between the sole and the walkable surface.

[0057] Advantageously, the sole object of the present invention acts as a pin on the forefoot so as to result in a rotation with the heel towards the median longitudinal line of the body. This failing, there would be an obstacle when exiting the rotation on the ground of the forefoot, which would discharge the extra-rotation on the upper joints with particular reference to the knee, likely causing degenerative phenomena. [0058] Advantageously, the sole object of the present invention allows obtaining extremely short supporting times of the sole on the underlying ground.

[0059] A man skilled in the art may make several changes or replacements of elements with other functionally equivalent ones to the embodiments of the above sole and footwear, to meet specific needs.

[0060] Also such variants are included within the scope of protection as defined by the following claims.

[0061] Moreover, each variant described as belonging to a possible embodiment may be implemented independently of the other variants described.