Sole Structure for a Shoe

Abstract

The invention provides a sole structure that can not only prevent deterioration of cushioning performance and improve cushioning properties but also enhance flexibility. The sole structure 1 includes a rear foot sole 2 disposed at a rear foot region of the sole structure 1 , a forefoot sole 3 disposed at a forefoot part F of the sole structure 1 , and a plate 4 disposed at the rear foot region of the sole structure 1 and having an upwardly convexly curved shape along a heel part H to a midfoot part M of the sole structure 1 . A front end portion 4 f of the plate 4 is disposed at a front end portion 2 Af, 2 Bf of the rear foot sole 2 (i.e. upper and lower soles 2 A, 2 B). There is formed a gap S in front of the front end portion 4 f of the plate 4 between the front end portion 2 Af, 2 Bf of the rear foot sole 2 and a rear end portion 3 r of the forefoot sole 3.

1 . A sole structure for a shoe comprising:
 a rear foot sole disposed at a rear foot region of the sole structure;   a forefoot sole disposed at a forefoot region of the sole structure; and   a plate disposed at the rear foot region of the sole structure and having an upwardly convexly curved shape along a heel part to a midfoot part of the sole structure;   wherein a front end portion of the plate is disposed at a front end portion of the rear foot sole, and there is formed a gap in front of the front end portion of the plate between the front end portion of the rear foot sole and a rear end portion of the forefoot sole.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear foot sole and the forefoot sole are respectively formed of a midsole of a soft elastic material, and wherein the rear end portion of the forefoot sole is provided separately from the front end portion of the rear foot sole through the gap. 
     
     
         3 . The sole structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the rear foot sole and the forefoot sole have a first ground-contact outsole and a second ground-contact outsole respectively attached on a bottom surface of each of the rear foot sole and the forefoot sole, and wherein the first outsole and the second outsole are interconnected with each other via a connection in the gap between the front end portion of the rear foot sole and the rear end portion of the forefoot sole. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the connection has a path length that is longer than a longitudinal length of the gap between the front end portion of the rear foot sole and the rear end portion of the forefoot sole. 
     
     
         5 . The sole structure according to  claim 4 , wherein the connection has a bending portion of an inverted V-shape or an inverted U-shape as viewed from a side face of the connection in the gap. 
     
     
         6 . The sole structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear foot sole includes a heel sole that protrudes downwardly at the heel part of the sole structure and a midfoot sole that that protrudes downwardly at the midfoot part of the sole structure, and wherein there is provided a region in which the rear foot sole is not provided or the rear foot sole recedes upwardly between the heel sole and the midfoot sole. 
     
     
         7 . The sole structure according to  claim 2 , wherein the rear foot sole is formed of an upper midsole disposed on an upper side of the rear foot sole and a lower midsole disposed on a lower side of the rear foot sole, and the plate is interposed between the upper midsole and the lower midsole. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate is formed of a hard elastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The sole structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear foot sole and the forefoot sole are respectively formed of a midsole of a soft elastic material, and wherein the rear foot sole and the forefoot sole are connected to each other through a connection that extends from the midsole and that is disposed in the gap between the front end of the rear foot sole and the rear end of the forefoot sole. 
     
     
         10 . The sole structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the connection is formed of a thin part of the midsole. 
     
     
         11 . The sole structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the connection has a path length that is longer than a longitudinal length of the gap between the front end portion of the rear foot sole and the rear end portion of the forefoot sole. 
     
     
         12 . The sole structure according to  claim 11 , wherein the connection has a bending portion of an inverted V-shape or an inverted U-shape viewed from a side face of the connection in the gap. 
     
     
         13 . The sole structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the rear foot sole and the forefoot sole have a first ground-contact outsole and a second ground-contact outsole respectively attached on a bottom surface of each of the rear foot sole and the forefoot sole, and wherein the first outsole and the second outsole are separated through the gap between the front end portion of the rear foot sole and the rear end portion of the forefoot sole. 
     
     
         14 . A sole structure for a shoe comprising:
 a forefoot sole disposed at a forefoot region of the sole structure;   a rear foot sole disposed on a rear side of the forefoot region of the sole structure; and   a plate disposed along the rear foot sole;   wherein there is formed a gap without the rear foot sole in front of the front end of the plate.   
     
     
         15 . The sole structure according to  claim 14 , wherein the plate is provided at a heel part or a midfoot part of the sole structure. 
     
     
         16 . The sole structure according to  claim 14 , wherein the plate has an upwardly convexly curved shape.