Shoe sole with improved roll stability

Abstract

An outsole for a shoe has a toe end and a heel end, and includes a first material. The outsole includes a base, a first side, a second side opposite the first side, and a roll beam positioned proximate the heel end of the outsole. The roll beam includes a second material that is stiff relative to the first material, and the roll beam has a middle extending across the base of the outsole, a first upper ridge extending from the middle and positioned beside the first side of the outsole, and a second upper ridge extending from the middle and positioned beside the second side of the outsole.

1 . An outsole for a shoe having a toe end and a heel end, the outsole including a first material, the outsole comprising:
 a base;   a first side;   a second side opposite the first side; and   a roll beam positioned proximate the heel end of the outsole, the roll beam including a second material that is stiff relative to the first material, the roll beam having:
 a middle extending across the base of the outsole; 
 a first upper ridge extending from the middle and positioned beside the first side of the outsole; and 
 a second upper ridge extending from the middle and positioned beside the second side of the outsole. 
   
     
     
         2 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the roll beam operates to stabilize a user's heel relative to the outsole. 
     
     
         3 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the base, the first side, and the second side collectively define a recess therein, wherein the roll beam is positioned in the recess such that the middle is in a portion of the recess defined in the base, the first upper ridge is in a portion of the recess defined in the first side, and the second upper ridge is in a portion of the recess defined in the second side. 
     
     
         4 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the middle of the roll beam includes a front end facing the toe end of the outsole and a back end facing the heel end of the outsole, wherein the front and back ends of the roll beam are positioned such that the roll beam accommodates a user's heel. 
     
     
         5 . The outsole of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the front end and the back end of the middle of the roll beam has a bent shape in extent between the first and second upper ridges. 
     
     
         6 . The outsole of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one of the front end and the back end includes a first portion extending from the first upper ridge and a second portion extending from the second upper ridge, wherein the first and second portions converge at a lowermost point to define a substantially V-shape. 
     
     
         7 . The outsole of  claim 6 , wherein the substantially V-shape of the at least one of the front end and the back end has the lowermost point that is off-center between the first upper ridge and the second upper ridge. 
     
     
         8 . The outsole of  claim 5 , wherein each of the front end and the back end of the middle of the roll beam has the bent shape. 
     
     
         9 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the first upper ridge is shorter that the first side of the outsole and the second upper ridge is shorter than the second side of the outsole. 
     
     
         10 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the middle of the roll beam defines a roll beam base that is flush with the base of the outsole. 
     
     
         11 . The outsole of  claim 10 , wherein the middle of the roll beam and the base each include a tread for the outsole. 
     
     
         12 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the roll beam is uniform such that the middle, the first upper ridge, and the second upper ridge each have substantially the same thickness. 
     
     
         13 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the middle of the roll beam increases from a center of the roll beam towards each of the first upper ridge and the second upper ridge. 
     
     
         14 . The outsole of  claim 1 , further comprising a cushioned region proximate the toe end. 
     
     
         15 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first upper ridge and the second upper ridge has an apex defining a tallest height of the roll beam. 
     
     
         16 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the roll beam is connected to at least one of the base, the first side, and the second side. 
     
     
         17 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the base, the first side, the second side, and the roll beam are formed integrally as a one-piece unit. 
     
     
         18 . The outsole of  claim 1 , wherein the first material has at least one of a lighter weight and a greater flexibility than the second material. 
     
     
         19 . A shoe comprising the outsole of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         20 . The shoe of  claim 19 , wherein the roll beam operates to stabilize a user's heel and limit the heel from rolling in the shoe.