Shoe sole

Abstract

Described are soles for shoes, and shoes with such soles. The sole includes a first partial region and a second partial region, a cushioning element, and a protection element. The cushioning element is arranged within at least a portion of the first partial region and within at least a portion of the second partial region. The protection element is also arranged within at least a portion of the first partial region and within at least a portion of the second partial region. The cushioning element has a greater stiffness in the first partial region than in the second partial region. When a wearer treads down with the sole on a surface, the protection element has a larger contact area with the surface in the first partial region than in the second partial region.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . Sole for a shoe, comprising:
 a. a cushioning element; and   b. a protection element, wherein   c. the sole comprises a first partial region and a second partial region, wherein   d. the cushioning element comprises a greater stiffness in the first partial region than in the second partial region, wherein   e. the cushioning element comprises randomly arranged particles of expanded thermoplastic polyurethane or expanded polyether-block-amide, wherein   f. the protection element comprises a plurality of openings and/or regions of thinner material in the second partial region, and wherein   g. when treading down with the sole on a ground, the protection element comprises a larger contact area with the ground in the first partial region than in the second partial region.   
     
     
         2 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the protection element is arranged beneath the cushioning element and directly at the cushioning element. 
     
     
         3 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the cushioning element is provided as a midsole or as a part of a midsole. 
     
     
         4 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the protection element is provided as an outsole or as a part of an outsole. 
     
     
         5 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the cushioning element comprises s greater density in the first partial region than in the second partial region. 
     
     
         6 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the cushioning element further comprises a reinforcing element. 
     
     
         7 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing element extends both into the first partial region of the sole as well as into the second partial region of the sole. 
     
     
         8 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the protection element is harder to deform in the first partial region than in the second partial region. 
     
     
         9 . The sole according to  claim 8 , wherein the protection element is stiffer with respect to bending in the first partial region than in the second partial region. 
     
     
         10 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the protection element comprises a plurality of openings in the second partial region. 
     
     
         11 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the protection element comprises a plurality of regions of thinner material in the second partial region. 
     
     
         12 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the protection element comprises a plurality of openings and regions of thinner material in the second partial region. 
     
     
         13 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the protection element comprises a plurality of openings also in the first partial region and wherein on average the openings in the second partial region occupy a larger area than the openings in the first partial region. 
     
     
         14 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the protection element comprises a plurality of regions of thinner material also in the first partial region and wherein on average the regions of thinner material in the second partial region occupy a larger area than the regions of thinner material in the first partial region. 
     
     
         15 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the protection element comprises a plurality of openings and regions of thinner material also in the first partial region and wherein on average the openings and regions of thinner material in the second partial region occupy a larger area than the openings and regions of thinner material in the first partial region. 
     
     
         16 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the protection element comprises a plurality of first protrusions in the first partial region which comprise a flattened surface. 
     
     
         17 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the protection element comprises a plurality of second protrusions in the second partial region which, when treading down with the sole on the ground, at least partially penetrate into the cushioning element. 
     
     
         18 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the first partial region extends on the medial side of the sole and wherein the second partial region extends on the lateral side of the sole. 
     
     
         19 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the first partial region extends on the medial side of the sole. 
     
     
         20 . The sole according to  claim 1 , wherein the first partial region extends on the lateral side of the sole.