Sole and shoe with haptic feedback

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sole for a shoe, in particular a running shoe. The shoe comprises a sole component and at least one loose particle(s) contained within the sole component. The loose particles provide haptic feedback to a user of the sole during an athletic activity.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sole for a shoe, the sole comprising:
 a. a sole component comprising a midsole and/or insole, wherein the midsole and/or insole is formed from particles of an expanded material   b. wherein the midsole and/or insole comprises a cavity; and   c. wherein the loose particles have a weight at least twice the weight of the surrounding midsole material of a same size.   
     
     
         2 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the particles of an expanded material in the midsole and/or insole are formed from expanded ethylene-vinyl-acetate (eEVA), expanded thermoplastic urethane (eTPU), expanded polypropylene (ePP), expanded polyamide (ePA), expanded polyether block amide (ePEBA), expanded polyoxymethylene (ePOM), expanded polystyrene (ePS), expanded polyethylene (ePE), expanded polylactide (ePLA), expanded polyethylene terephthalate (ePET), expanded polybutylene terephthalate (ePBT), or expanded thermoplastic olefin (eTPO). 
     
     
         3 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the particles of an expanded material in the midsole and/or insole are formed from eTPU. 
     
     
         4 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the loose particles are formed from expanded ethylene-vinyl-acetate (eEVA), expanded thermoplastic urethane (eTPU), expanded polypropylene (ePP), expanded polyamide (ePA), expanded polyether block amide (ePEBA), expanded polyoxymethylene (ePOM), expanded polystyrene (ePS), expanded polyethylene (ePE), expanded polylactide (ePLA), expanded polyethylene terephthalate (ePET), expanded polybutylene terephthalate (ePBT), or expanded thermoplastic olefin (eTPO). 
     
     
         5 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the loose particles are formed from eTPU. 
     
     
         6 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the particles of an expanded material in the midsole and/or insole are formed from a different material than the loose particles. 
     
     
         7 . The sole of  claim 1 , comprising a midsole, wherein the expanded material of the midsole is a different expanded material than the expanded material of the loose particles. 
     
     
         8 . The sole of  claim 1 , comprising an insole, wherein the expanded material of the insole is a different expanded material than the expanded material of the loose particles. 
     
     
         9 . The sole of  claim 1 , comprising a midsole, wherein the expanded material of the midsole is the same expanded material as the expanded material of the loose particles. 
     
     
         10 . The sole of  claim 1 , comprising an insole, wherein the expanded material of the insole is the same expanded material as the expanded material of the loose particles. 
     
     
         11 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the loose particles are embedded in the sole. 
     
     
         12 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the loose particles extend above a surface of sole material surrounding the cavity. 
     
     
         13 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the loose particles extend below a surface of sole material surrounding the cavity. 
     
     
         14 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity further comprises loose particles comprising metal. 
     
     
         15 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the loose particles have a spherical or ellipsoid shape. 
     
     
         16 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is separated from a shoe upper by a mesh-like material. 
     
     
         17 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is separated from a shoe upper by a layer of textile. 
     
     
         18 . The sole of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity comprises a pouch containing the loose particles. 
     
     
         19 . A shoe comprising the sole of  claim 18 , wherein the shoe further comprises an outsole and wherein the outsole contains an opening having a size greater than each of the loose particles. 
     
     
         20 . The shoe according to  claim 19 , wherein the pouch is made from a mesh or foil material.