Climate configurable sole and shoe

• US 7,487,602 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2004
• Issued: 02/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Adidas International Marketing BV (Adidas AG)
• Original Assignee: Adidas International BV (Adidas AG)
• Inventors: Manz, Gerd Rainer, Berger, Christoph
• Primary Examiner(s): Mohandesi; Jila M
• Application Number:
  US10/870,888
• Publication Number:
  US 20040221482A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,699 Days
• Field of Search: 36/3.R, 36/3.A, 36/3.B, 36/29, 361/41, 361/47
• US Class Current: 36/3.00B
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/12 Soles with several layers of different materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/16 Pieced soles with several layers of different material A43B13/12
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/186 Differential cushioning region, e.g. cushioning located under the ball of the foot resilient heel not included in the sole A43B21/26; resilient supports for the heel of the foot A43B21/32
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/08 with air-holes, with or without closures

Abstract

Disclosed are articles of footwear and soles therefor, in particular sports shoe soles that include openings for ventilation and vapor exchange. The soles include an insole layer with a plurality of first openings, a support layer with a plurality of second openings that partially overlap the plurality of first openings, and an outsole layer with at least one third opening that at least partially overlaps the plurality of second openings to provide fluidic communications through the sole from an interior of the shoe to an exterior of the shoe. A substantial portion of the plurality of first openings in the insole are interconnected to provide a path for diffusion. The shoes and soles can include a cushioning layer, a tread layer, a breathable membrane, and additional support elements. In addition, the shoes can be used with climate control socks to further enhance the climate control properties of the shoes.

Claims

1. A sole for an article of footwear comprising:

a first layer defining a plurality of first openings, wherein the first openings extend from a top side of the first layer to a bottom side of the first layer, and wherein the first layer is adapted for contact with a foot sole;

a second layer defining at least one second opening that at least partially overlaps at least a portion of the plurality of first openings; and

a third layer comprising a discrete forefoot section and a separate discrete rearfoot section, wherein the forefoot section and the rearfoot section at least partially define a third opening therebetween, and wherein a separation between the discrete forefoot section and the separate discrete rearfoot section is defined at least in part by an absence of the third layer, and wherein the third opening at least partially overlaps the second opening and wherein the first openings, at least one second opening, and the third opening are arranged such that at least one of moisture and air can pass from an interior of an article of footwear to an outside of an article of footwear via the first openings, the at least one second opening, and the third opening.

2. The sole of claim 1, wherein the forefoot section and rearfoot section comprise an outsole material.

3. The sole of claim 1, wherein the third opening is only partially bounded by the forefoot section and the rearfoot section.

4. The sole of claim 1, further comprising a tread on the third layer.

5. The sole of claim 1, wherein the second layer extends between the forefoot section and rearfoot section, thereby providing support to a foot.

6. The sole of claim 5, wherein the second layer comprises at least one of a lateral flange and a medial flange, wherein the at least one second opening extends at least partially through at least one of the lateral flange and the medial flange of the second layer.

7. The sole of claim 5, further comprising a support element disposed between the second layer and the third layer.

8. The sole of claim 7, wherein the support element extends at least partially across the separation between the forefoot section and the rearfoot section.

9. The sole of claim 5, wherein the third opening is located proximate at least one of a lateral side and a medial side of the third layer.

10. The sole of claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises an insole.

11. A sole for an article of footwear comprising:

a first layer defining a plurality of first openings, wherein the first openings extend from a top side of the first layer to a bottom side of the first layer;

a second layer defining at least one second opening that at least partially overlaps at least a portion of the plurality of first openings, the second layer comprising a plurality of generally parallel ribs wherein the ribs define a grill pattern and extend at least partially across the at least one second opening, wherein the ribs and the at least one second opening define at least one of a moisture pervious structure and an air pervious structure; and

a third layer at least partially defining at least one third opening, the third opening at least partially overlapping the at least one second opening, wherein the first openings, at least one second opening, and at least one third opening are arranged such that at least one of moisture and air can pass from an interior of an article of footwear to an outside of an article of footwear, via the first openings, the at least one second opening, and the at least one third opening.

12. The sole of claim 11, wherein the first layer comprises an insole.

13. The sole of claim 11, wherein the plurality of ribs define a plurality of openings.

14. The sole of claim 13, wherein the plurality of ribs are integrally formed with the second layer.

15. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper at least partially defining an interior; and

a sole assembly comprising;

a first layer comprising an insole, wherein the insole defines a plurality of first openings, wherein the first openings extend from a top side of the insole to a bottom side of the insole;

a second layer defining at least one second opening; and

a third layer comprising a discrete forefoot section and a separate discrete rearfoot section, wherein the forefoot section and the rearfoot section at least partially define a third opening therebetween, and wherein a separation between the discrete forefoot section and the separate discrete rearfoot section is defined at least in part by an absence of the third layer,

wherein the at least one second opening overlaps at least a portion of the plurality of the first openings, and

wherein the third opening at least partially overlaps the at least one second opening, such that at least one of moisture and air can pass from the interior of the article of footwear to an outside of the article of footwear via the first openings, the at least one second opening, and the third opening.