Multilayer sole for sport shoes

Abstract

The sole comprises three layers, including (a) an outer or ground contact sole ( 7 ) having flexibility, ground-gripping, and abrasion-resistance properties, (b) an upper or comfort layer ( 8 ) positioned directly beneath the foot and having elastic shock-absorption properties, and (c) an intermediate layer or rib ( 9 ) positioned directly between the upper portion of the contact layer ( 7 ) and the lower portion of the comfort layer ( 8 ) and having torsional rigidity properties which provide both for the distribution of shocks sensed by the contact layer ( 7 ) and for their diffusion over the comfort layer ( 8 ) before they come into contact with the foot ( 4 ).

1. In a sport shoe comprising an upper, a sole made from a laminated profile comprising several layers performing distinct functions, respectively, said sole being surmounted by said upper, wherein said sole comprises at least three layers external to said upper, namely:
 (a) a ground contact layer with determinate properties of flexibility, gripping and abrasion-resistance which provide good foot extension, good ground traction and a high level of wear resistance;  
 (b) an upper comfort layer located directly beneath the foot, said upper comfort layer having elastic shock-absorption properties and being assembled on said upper of said shoe; and  
 (c) an intermediate layer of said sole, arranged directly between an upper part of said ground contact layer, by one of its faces, and the lower part of said comfort layer by its other face, having controlled torsional and flectional rigidity, and providing both for the distribution of shockwaves and stresses sensed by said ground contact layer and for their diffusion over said comfort layer before coming in contact with the foot, said intermediate layer extending over an entire surface of said ground contact layer and constituting a framework for the ground contact layer preventing deformation of the ground contact layer and thereby permitting it to be made of softer, more adherent rubber, wherein said ground contact layer, said upper comfort layer and said intermediate layer are substantially congruous with one another.  
 
     
     
       2. Sole according to  claim 1 , wherein said ground contact layer, said upper comfort layer and said intermediate layer are substantially congruous with one another. 
     
     
       3. Sole according to  claim 1   In a sport shoe comprising an upper, a sole made from a laminated profile comprising several layers performing distinct functions, respectively, said sole being surmounted by said upper, wherein said sole comprises at least three layers external to said upper, namely:
 ( a )  a ground contact layer with determinate properties of flexibility, gripping and abrasion - resistance which provide good foot extension, good ground traction and a high level of wear resistance;    
 ( b )  an upper comfort layer located directly beneath the foot, said upper comfort layer having elastic shock - absorption properties and being assembled on said upper of said shoe; and    
 ( c )  an intermediate layer of said sole, arranged directly between an upper part of said ground contact layer, by one of its faces, and the lower part of said comfort layer by its other face, having controlled torsional and flectional rigidity, and providing both for the distribution of shockwaves and stresses sensed by said ground contact layer and for their diffusion over said comfort layer before coming in contact with the foot, said intermediate layer extending over an entire surface of said ground contact layer and constituting a framework for the ground contact layer preventing deformation of the ground contact layer and thereby permitting it to be made of softer, more adherent rubber , wherein said comfort layer is composed of several distinct adjoining zones, said zones including a first zone corresponding to the heel and having a first degree of elasticity; a second zone corresponding to the arch and having a degree of elasticity less than said first zone; and a third zone having a degree of elasticity less than said second zone and promoting control of walking.  
 
     
     
       4. Sole according to  claim 1   In a sport shoe comprising an upper, a sole made from a laminated profile comprising several layers performing distinct functions, respectively, said sole being surmounted by said upper, wherein said sole comprises at least three layers external to said upper, namely:
 ( a )  a ground contact layer with determinate properties of flexibility, gripping and abrasion - resistance which provide good foot extension, good ground traction and a high level of wear resistance;    
 ( b )  an upper comfort layer located directly beneath the foot, said upper comfort layer having elastic shock - absorption properties and being assembled on said upper of said shoe; and    
 ( c )  an intermediate layer of said sole, arranged directly between an upper part of said ground contact layer, by one of its faces, and the lower part of said comfort layer by its other face, having controlled torsional and flectional rigidity, and providing both for the distribution of shockwaves and stresses sensed by said ground contact layer and for their diffusion over said comfort layer before coming in contact with the foot, said intermediate layer extending over an entire surface of said ground contact layer and constituting a framework for the ground contact layer preventing deformation of the ground contact layer and thereby permitting it to be made of softer, more adherent rubber , wherein said intermediate layer has a substantially constant rigidity at all points, said rigidity being selected during manufacture as a function of intended use of the shoe.  
 
     
     
       5. Sole according to  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate layer has a hardness greater than 45 Shore D. 
     
     
       6. Sole according to  claim 1 , wherein said ground contact layer has a ha rd ness of less than 45 Shore D. 
     
     
       7. Sole according to  claim 1 , wherein said comfort layer has a hardness of less than 80 Shore A. 
     
     
       8. Sole according to  claim 1   In a sport shoe comprising an upper, a sole made from a laminated profile comprising several layers performing distinct functions, respectively, said sole being surmounted by said upper, wherein said sole comprises at least three layers external to said upper, namely:
 ( a )  a ground contact layer with determinate properties of flexibility, gripping and abrasion - resistance which provide good foot extension, good ground traction and a high level of wear resistance;    
 ( b )  an upper comfort layer located directly beneath the foot, said upper comfort layer having elastic shock - absorption properties and being assembled on said upper of said shoe; and    
 ( c )  an intermediate layer of said sole, arranged directly between an upper part of said ground contact layer, by one of its faces, and the lower part of said comfort layer by its other face, having controlled torsional and flectional rigidity, and providing both for the distribution of shockwaves and stresses sensed by said ground contact layer and for their diffusion over said comfort layer before coming in contact with the foot, said intermediate layer extending over an entire surface of said ground contact layer and constituting a framework for the ground contact layer preventing deformation of the ground contact layer and thereby permitting it to be made of softer, more adherent rubber , wherein said ground contact layer is made of rubber having traction and abrasion-resistance properties.  
 
     
     
       9. Sole according to  claim 1 , wherein said ground contact sole is made of a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
       10. Sole according to  claim 3 , wherein said intermediate layer is made of a material selected from the group consisting of filled and unfilled thermoplastic material. 
     
     
       11. Sole according to  claim 1 , wherein said layers constituting said sole are connected by adhesive bonding. 
     
     
       12. Sole according to  claim 1 , wherein said layers constituting said sole are connected by duplicate molding. 
     
     
       13. Sole according to  claim 1 , wherein said layers constituting said sole are connected by ultrasound. 
     
     
       14. Sole according to  claim 1   In a sport shoe comprising an upper, a sole made from a laminated profile comprising several layers performing distinct functions, respectively, said sole being surmounted by said upper, wherein said sole comprises at least three layers external to said upper, namely:
 ( a )  a ground contact layer with determinate properties of flexibility, gripping and abrasion - resistance which provide good foot extension, good ground traction and a high level of wear resistance;    
 ( b )  an upper comfort layer located directly beneath the foot, said upper comfort layer having elastic shock - absorption properties and being assembled on said upper of said shoe; and    
 ( c )  an intermediate layer of said sole, arranged directly between an upper part of said ground contact layer, by one of its faces, and the lower part of said comfort layer by its other face, having controlled torsional and flectional rigidity, and providing both for the distribution of shockwaves and stresses sensed by said ground contact layer and for their diffusion over said comfort layer before coming in contact with the foot, said intermediate layer extending over an entire surface of said ground contact layer and constituting a framework for the ground contact layer preventing deformation of the ground contact layer and thereby permitting it to be made of softer, more adherent rubber , wherein said intermediate layer, or rib  ( 9 A) is constituted by a plurality of zones ( 9 a,  9 b,  9 c) extending on either side of an axis of torsion (X-x′) whose stiffness values are different and suitably selected during manufacture as a function of the intended use of the shoe.  
 
     
     
       15. Sole according to  claim 14 , wherein, for shoes especially designed for high mountain walking, said rib ( 9 A) is constituted by a rigid rear zone ( 9 a), a semi-rigid intermediate zone ( 9 b) promoting flection in the metatarsal area of the foot ( 4 ), and a rigid front zone ( 9 c) in the phalangeal area. 
     
     
       16. Sole according to  claim 14 , wherein, for shoes especially designed for walking in medium mountain altitudes, said rib ( 9 A) is constituted by a rigid rear zone ( 9 a), a flexible intermediate zone ( 9 b) promoting flection in the area of the metatarsals in the foot ( 4 ), and a rigid front zone ( 9 c) in the phalangeal area. 
     
     
       17. Sole according to  claim 1 , wherein said rigid intermediate layer, or rib ( 9 B) is constituted, at least in the metatarsal area, by a succession of rigid inserts ( 10 ) arranged in alternating fashion perpendicularly to the axis of torsion (X-X′) of said sole, so as to obtain good flexibility under flection while preserving good stiffness under torsion. 
     
     
       18. Sole according to  claim 17 , wherein said inserts ( 10 ) constituting said rib ( 9 B) and said rib layer  9 B are produced during a single molding operation. 
     
     
       19. Sole according to  claim 1 , wherein said intermediate layer, or rib ( 9 C) comprises, in proximity to its front and rear portions, two arc-shaped recesses ( 11 a,  11 b) substantially corresponding to the ends of said sole and capable of allowing passage of two stops ( 12 ,  13 ) formed from said contact layer ( 7 ) and on the inner surfaces of which parts of the upper ( 3 ) are adhesively bonded. 
     
     
       20. Sole according to  claim 19 , wherein a shoulder ( 14 ,  15 ) perpendicular to the outer surfaces of said stops ( 12 ,  13 ) remains between the latter and the plane of said rib ( 9 C) so as to produce an attachment designed for installation of ice studs, in a high mountain boot. 
     
     
       21. Sole according to  claim 1   In a sport shoe comprising an upper, a sole made from a laminated profile comprising several layers performing distinct functions, respectively, said sole being surmounted by said upper, wherein said sole comprises at least three layers external to said upper, namely:
 ( a )  a ground contact layer with determinate properties of flexibility, gripping and abrasion - resistance which provide good foot extension, good ground traction and a high level of wear resistance;    
 ( b )  an upper comfort layer located directly beneath the foot, said upper comfort layer having elastic shock - absorption properties and being assembled on said upper of said shoe; and    
 ( c )  an intermediate layer of said sole, arranged directly between an upper part of said ground contact layer, by one of its faces, and the lower part of said comfort layer by its other face, having controlled torsional and flectional rigidity, and providing both for the distribution of shockwaves and stresses sensed by said ground contact layer and for their diffusion over said comfort layer before coming in contact with the foot, said intermediate layer extending over an entire surface of said ground contact layer and constituting a framework for the ground contact layer preventing deformation of the ground contact layer and thereby permitting it to be made of softer, more adherent rubber , wherein said comfort layer ( 8 A) comprises, in its rear part, a balanced heel-piece ( 6 A) produced as a single piece with said layer ( 8 A) and replacing the outer heel-piece ( 6 ) of said shoe ( 1 ) .  
 
     
     
       22. Sole according to  claim 1 , wherein said ground-contact layer ( 7 A) is constituted by a plurality of zones, including a first peripheral zone ( 17 ) corresponding to a principal mechanical ground-gripping zone, a second central front zone ( 18 ) corresponding to a secondary position-maintenance or gripping zone, and a third neutral central rear zone ( 19 ). 
     
     
       23. Sole according to  claim 1   In a sport shoe comprising an upper, a sole made from a laminated profile comprising several layers performing distinct functions, respectively, said sole being surmounted by said upper, wherein said sole comprises at least three layers external to said upper, namely:
 ( a )  a ground contact layer with determinate properties of flexibility, gripping and abrasion - resistance which provide good foot extension, good ground traction and a high level of wear resistance;    
 ( b )  an upper comfort layer located directly beneath the foot, said upper comfort layer having elastic shock - absorption properties and being assembled on said upper of said shoe; and    
 ( c )  an intermediate layer of said sole, arranged directly between an upper part of said ground contact layer, by one of its faces, and the lower part of said comfort layer by its other face, having controlled torsional and flectional rigidity, and providing both for the distribution of shockwaves and stresses sensed by said ground contact layer and for their diffusion over said comfort layer before coming in contact with the foot, said intermediate layer extending over an entire surface of said ground contact layer and constituting a framework for the ground contact layer preventing deformation of the ground contact layer and thereby permitting it to be made of softer, more adherent rubber , wherein said ground-contact layer ( 7 B) is formed from skids mounted externally on said rib  intermediate layer ( 9 ) in recesses ( 20 ) provided in the latter  intermediate layer for that purpose.  
 
     
     
       24. Sole according to  claim 1 , wherein said comfort zone is constituted by points ( 8 b) made of the material on the upper part ( 7 a) of said contact layer ( 7 ), and which pass through said intermediate layer, or rib ( 9 D) and clear it by a value equal to the thickness of said comfort layer to be produced. 
     
     
       25. Sole according to  claim 1 , wherein said rigid intermediate layer, or rib, ( 9 E) allows mechanical attachment of a hinge-type binding loop ( 21 ) in an application to cross-country ski or Nordic hiking boots, comprising or not an inner metal strengthening insert, said insert and/or said loop ( 21 ) being duplicate molded in said rigid intermediate layer ( 9 E). 
     
     
       26. Sole according to  claim 1 , wherein said rigid intermediate layer, or rib ( 9 ) can allow mechanical attachment of an insert cooperating with an associated binding for assembly of said sole to an element such as a ski, cycle pedal, etc., said insert being duplicate molded in said rigid intermediate layer  9 ). 
     
     
       27. Sole according to  claim 21 , wherein said intermediate layer, or rib ( 9 F) can allow mechanical attachments of studs in a screw-in configuration in an application to golf shoes. 
     
     
       28. In a sport shoe comprising an upper, a sole made from a laminated profile comprising several layers performing distinct functions, respectively, said sole being surmounted by said upper, wherein said sole comprises at least three layers external to said upper, namely:
 ( a )  a ground contact layer with determinate properties of flexibility, gripping and abrasion - resistance which provide good foot extension, good ground traction and a high level of wear resistance;      ( b )  an upper comfort layer located directly beneath the foot, said upper comfort layer having elastic shock - absorption properties and being assembled on said upper of said shoe; and      ( c )  an intermediate layer of said sole, arranged directly between an upper part of said ground contact layer, by one of its faces, and the lower part of said comfort layer by its other face, having controlled torsional and flectional rigidity, and providing both for the distribution of shockwaves and stresses sensed by said ground contact layer and for their diffusion over said comfort layer before coming in contact with the foot, said intermediate layer extending over substantially an entire surface of said ground contact layer and constituting a framework for the ground contact layer preventing deformation of the ground contact layer and thereby permitting it to be made of softer, more adherent rubber, wherein said ground contact layer, said upper comfort layer and said intermediate layer are substantially congruous with one another.     
     
     
       29. In a sport shoe comprising an upper, a sole made from a laminated profile comprising several layers performing distinct functions, respectively, said sole being surmounted by said upper, wherein said sole comprises at least three layers external to said upper, namely:
 ( a )  a ground contact layer with determinate properties of flexibility, gripping and abrasion - resistance which provide good foot extension, good ground traction and a high level of wear resistance;      ( b )  an upper comfort layer located directly beneath the foot, said upper comfort layer having elastic shock - absorption properties and being assembled on said upper of said shoe; and      ( c )  an intermediate layer of said sole, arranged directly between an upper part of said ground contact layer, by one of its faces, and the lower part of said comfort layer by its other face, having controlled torsional and flectional rigidity, and providing both for the distribution of shockwaves and stresses sensed by said ground contact layer and for their diffusion over said comfort layer before coming in contact with the foot, said intermediate layer extending over substantially an entire surface of said ground contact layer and constituting a framework for the ground contact layer preventing deformation of the ground contact layer and thereby permitting it to be made of softer, more adherent rubber, wherein said comfort layer is composed of several distinct adjoining zones, said zones including a first zone corresponding to the heel and having a first degree of elasticity; a second zone corresponding to the arch and having a degree of elasticity less than said first zone; and a third zone having a degree of elasticity less than said second zone and promoting control of walking.     
     
     
       30. In a sport shoe comprising an upper, a sole made from a laminated profile comprising several layers performing distinct functions, respectively, said sole being surmounted by said upper, wherein said sole comprises at least three layers external to said upper, namely:
 ( a )  a ground contact layer with determinate properties of flexibility, gripping and abrasion - resistance which provide good foot extension, good ground traction and a high level of wear resistance;      ( b )  an upper comfort layer located directly beneath the foot, said upper comfort layer having elastic shock - absorption properties and being assembled on said upper of said shoe; and      ( c )  an intermediate layer of said sole, arranged directly between an upper part of said ground contact layer, by one of its faces, and the lower part of said comfort layer by its other face, having controlled torsional and flectional rigidity, and providing both for the distribution of shockwaves and stresses sensed by said ground contact layer and for their diffusion over said comfort layer before coming in contact with the foot, said intermediate layer extending over substantially an entire surface of said ground contact layer and constituting a framework for the ground contact layer preventing deformation of the ground contact layer and thereby permitting it to be made of softer, more adherent rubber, wherein said intermediate layer has a substantially constant rigidity at all points, said rigidity being selected during manufacture as a function of intended use of the shoe.     
     
     
       31. In a sport shoe comprising an upper, a sole made from a laminated profile comprising several layers performing distinct functions, respectively, said sole being surmounted by said upper, wherein said sole comprises at least three layers external to said upper, namely:
 ( a )  a ground contact layer with determinate properties of flexibility, gripping and abrasion - resistance which provide good foot extension, good ground traction and a high level of wear resistance;      ( b )  an upper comfort layer located directly beneath the foot, said upper comfort layer having elastic shock - absorption properties and being assembled on said upper of said shoe; and      ( c )  an intermediate layer of said sole, arranged directly between an upper part of said ground contact layer, by one of its faces, and the lower part of said comfort layer by its other face, having controlled torsional and flectional rigidity, and providing both for the distribution of shockwaves and stresses sensed by said ground contact layer and for their diffusion over said comfort layer before coming in contact with the foot, said intermediate layer extending over substantially an entire surface of said ground contact layer and constituting a framework for the ground contact layer preventing deformation of the ground contact layer and thereby permitting it to be made of softer, more adherent rubber, wherein said ground contact layer is made of rubber having traction and abrasion - resistance properties.     
     
     
       32. In a sport shoe comprising an upper, a sole made from a laminated profile comprising several layers performing distinct functions, respectively, said sole being surmounted by said upper, wherein said sole comprises at least three layers external to said upper, namely:
 ( a )  a ground contact layer with determinate properties of flexibility, gripping and abrasion - resistance which provide good foot extension, good ground traction and a high level of wear resistance;      ( b )  an upper comfort layer located directly beneath the foot, said upper comfort layer having elastic shock - absorption properties and being assembled on said upper of said shoe; and      ( c )  an intermediate layer of said sole, arranged directly between an upper part of said ground contact layer, by one of its faces, and the lower part of said comfort layer by its other face, having controlled torsional and flectional rigidity, and providing both for the distribution of shockwaves and stresses sensed by said ground contact layer and for their diffusion over said comfort layer before coming in contact with the foot, said intermediate layer extending over substantially an entire surface of said ground contact layer and constituting a framework for the ground contact layer preventing deformation of the ground contact layer and thereby permitting it to be made of softer, more adherent rubber, wherein said intermediate layer  (   9 A )  is constituted by a plurality of zones  (   9 a,  9 b,  9 c )  extending on either side of an axis of torsion  ( X - x′ )  whose stiffness values are different and suitably selected during manufacture as a function of the intended use of the shoe.     
     
     
       33. In a sport shoe comprising an upper, a sole made from a laminated profile comprising several layers performing distinct functions, respectively, said sole being surmounted by said upper, wherein said sole comprises at least three layers external to said upper, namely:
 ( a )  a ground contact layer with determinate properties of flexibility, gripping and abrasion - resistance which provide good foot extension, good ground traction and a high level of wear resistance;      ( b )  an upper comfort layer located directly beneath the foot, said upper comfort layer having elastic shock - absorption properties and being assembled on said upper of said shoe; and      ( c )  an intermediate layer of said sole, arranged directly between an upper part of said ground contact layer, by one of its faces, and the lower part of said comfort layer by its other face, having controlled torsional and flectional rigidity, and providing both for the distribution of shockwaves and stresses sensed by said ground contact layer and for their diffusion over said comfort layer before coming in contact with the foot, said intermediate layer extending over substantially an entire surface of said ground contact layer and constituting a framework for the ground contact layer preventing deformation of the ground contact layer and thereby permitting it to be made of softer, more adherent rubber, wherein said comfort layer  (   8 A )  comprises, in its rear part, a balanced heel - piece  (   6 A )  produced as a single piece with said layer  (   8 A ).   
     
     
       34. In a sport shoe comprising an upper, a sole made from a laminated profile comprising several layers performing distinct functions, respectively, said sole being surmounted by said upper, wherein said sole comprises at least three layers external to said upper, namely:
 ( a )  a ground contact layer with determinate properties of flexibility, gripping and abrasion - resistance which provide good foot extension, good ground traction and a high level of wear resistance;      ( b )  an upper comfort layer located directly beneath the foot, said upper comfort layer having elastic shock - absorption properties and being assembled on said upper of said shoe; and      ( c )  an intermediate layer of said sole, arranged directly between an upper part of said ground contact layer, by one of its faces, and the lower part of said comfort layer by its other face, having controlled torsional and flectional rigidity, and providing both for the distribution of shockwaves and stresses sensed by said ground contact layer and for their diffusion over said comfort layer before coming in contact with the foot, said intermediate layer extending over substantially an entire surface of said ground contact layer and constituting a framework for the ground contact layer preventing deformation of the ground contact layer and thereby permitting it to be made of softer, more adherent rubber, wherein said ground - contact layer  (   7 B )  is formed from skids mounted externally on said intermediate layer  (   9   )  in recesses  (   20   )  provided in the intermediate layer for that purpose.