US20100058616A1

US20100058616A1 - Shoe having an elastic body

Info

Publication number: US20100058616A1
Application number: US12/301,153
Authority: US
Inventors: Hyun-Wook Ryoo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-05-23
Filing date: 2007-05-23
Publication date: 2010-03-11
Also published as: WO2007136231A1

Abstract

Disclosed is a shoe provided with at least one elastic body, which is combined with the outer sole thereof, so that friction induced in the shoe itself can be reduced, thereby enhancing the endurance of the shoe, and the shock absorption efficiency of the shoe becomes excellent, thereby allowing walking to be easier. The inventive shoe provided with at least one elastic body includes a plate-type outer sole protection sheath (21), a plate-type elastic body (22) stacked on the outer sole protection sheath (21), an outer sole body (23) stacked on the entire area on the top of the outer sole protection sheath (21) including the top of the plate-type elastic body (22), and a block type elastic body complementarily fitted in the outer sole body (23).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a shoe with an outer sole combined with at least one elastic body in such a manner that friction induced in the elastic body itself can be reduced, thereby enhancing the endurance of the shoe, and the shock absorption efficiency can be greatly improved, thereby making walking easier.

BACKGROUND ART

As man began to walk erect, shoes have been developed. Early shoes merely served to protect the feet of a shoe wearer, so that the shoe wearer comfortably walks without being injured. However, as techniques for fabricating shoes have developed together with a rise in the standard of living, shoes have been used for various purposes, such as for walking, climbing, medical treatment, and specific sports purposes.
In particular, as concern about the importance of health has greatly increased, shoes for use in exercise have made rapid progress, and shoes of novel materials and features have been continuously developed. In view of body health, however, the problem to be preferentially solved in the art is how to provide ventilation and cushion in a shoe.
In order to achieve the basic purpose of permitting a shoe wearer's activity while enclosing and protecting the wearer's feet, almost all kinds of shoes except slippers take the form in which an internal space of a shoe is substantially sealed, except for a top opening area provided so as to allow the wearer to put on or take off the shoe. Due to this feature of the shoes, ventilation-related problems may be unavoidable. However, various materials excellent in ventilation and various ventilation features suitable for shoes have been developed.
In view of body health, the more important factor as compared to the ventilation in a shoe is cushion. If shoes are poor in cushion, feet are liable to feel tired. Furthermore, as well known in the art, shock induced when the outer soles of shoes come into contact with the ground is transferred to the shoe wearer's brain through the spine of the shoe wearer and exerts a harmful influence on the shoe wearer's health. Therefore, shoes should be sufficiently cushioned.
A lot of the cushion-related problems have been already solved because various materials excellent in shock-absorption performance have been developed. However, it is impossible to solve all the cushion-related problems with the materials excellent in shock-absorption performance.
Korean Utility Model Publication No. 1995-0005782 discloses a shoe with at least one air-cushion combined with the outer sole of the shoe so as to minimize shock. The air-cushion is very effective in absorbing shock. However, such an air-cushion is dis-advantageous in that when the air-cushions are used for a long time, the air gradually leaks from the air-cushions like a conventional air tube to such an extent that they cannot serve as a cushion.
In order to solve this disadvantage of the air-cushions, a shock absorption spring equipped airbag for a shoe and a method of fabricating the same have been developed, which are disclosed in Korean Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-100800. The airbag includes a plurality of upright post type supports provided within the airbag, and a plurality of coil springs fitted on the supports, respectively, so that the air filled in the airbag and the springs can cooperate with each other so as to absorb shock.
However, this shock absorption structure employs cylindrical coil springs. As a result, when the shoe wearer walks or jumps to such an extent that shock is exerted to the shoes, upper and lower adjacent turns in each of the springs come into contact with each other, thereby restricting the shock absorbing amount of the springs. In addition, the contact of the turns may damage the springs. Furthermore, the outer sole of the shoe should be thick enough because the springs have a predetermined height even if they are fully compressed.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1A, a conventional cylindrical coil spring 11 takes a spirally wound structure with a constant diameter W throughout its height.
Therefore, the minimum height h₂of the spring when it is fully compressed is represented as follows:
h ₂ =h _1- n×d
wherein h₁is the maximum height of the spring when the spring is not compressed, n is the number of turns of the spring, and d is the diameter of a wire material used for forming the spring. The spring cannot be compressed beyond the minimum height h₂. Therefore, in order to install such a spring within the outer sole of a shoe, the thickness of the outer sole should exceed the minimum height h₂of the spring. As a result, there is a disadvantage in that the thickness should be inevitably thicker than it needs.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

The present invention has been made so as to solve the above-mentioned problems of conventional shoes with at least one cylindrical spring, and the present invention provides a shoe with a coil spring, wherein the adjacent turns of the coil spring are prevented from coming into contact with each other so as to prevent the occurrence of noise and the wear caused by the contact, the height of the spring when fully compressed is as low as the thickness of a wire material used for forming the coil spring, the elasticity of the coil spring is reinforced so as to more effectively allow walking, in particular of the old and the weak, to be easier, and the increase in thickness of an outer sole, which is resulted from the provision of the above-mentioned elastic material, can be minimized.

Advantageous Effects

The inventive shoe provided with at least one elastic body has advantages in that because the diameter of a coil spring forming a block type elastic body increases or decreases, the turns of the coil spring do not come into contact with each other, thereby preventing the occurrence of noise. In addition, no compression stopping shock is produced, which is caused if the turns of the coil spring come into contact each other, thereby instantaneously stopping the elastic compression of the coil spring. Further, the shock absorption distance of the inventive coil spring is longer than that of a conventional cylindrical coil spring. Moreover, a plate-type elastic body makes walking easier.
Furthermore, because the compressed displacement of the inventive coil spring is large, unlike a conventional cylindrical coil spring, the shock absorption efficiency is excellent, and the friction induced in the coil spring itself is reduced, whereby the endurance of the coil spring can be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views showing a coil spring before and after compression, respectively;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a shoe according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the shoe according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a disassembled state;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the shoe according to the first embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state;

FIGS. 5A to 5C are perspective views showing a truncated-cone-shaped block type elastic body, a cylindrical block type elastic body, and a rectangular hexahedron-shaped block type elastic body, respectively;

FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views showing a truncated-cone-shaped coil spring and a truncated-pyramid-shaped coil spring, respectively;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a first embodiment of an outer sole body and a plate-type elastic body, which are employed in the present invention, in an assembled state;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a second embodiment of an outer sole body and a plate-type elastic body, which are employed in the present invention, in an assembled state;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a third embodiment of an outer sole body and a plate-type elastic body, which are employed in the present invention, in an assembled state;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views showing a jar-shaped coil spring and an hour-glass-shaped coil spring, which are employed in an another embodiment of the present invention, respectively;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a shoe to which a shock absorption structure is assembled according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the shoe of FIG. 11;

FIGS. 13A and 13B are side views showing an hour-glass-shaped coil spring before and after compression, respectively;

FIG. 14A and a partially sectioned perspective view and a cross-sectional view of an elastic member, which is employed in another embodiment of the present invention, respectively;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic view, which is employed in another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a shoe, to which a shock absorption structure is assembled, according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 17 is a side view showing partially in cross-section one or more elastic members embedded in a shock absorption member which is employed in a shoe according to another embodiment of the present invention.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

The above-mentioned objects of the present invention can be accomplished by a block type elastic body, the appearance of which has a cylindrical shape, a truncated-pyramid shape, or the like, and a plate-type elastic body with a curved face.
The inventive shoe provided with the above-mentioned elastic bodies is technically characterized in that shock is primarily absorbed by the block type elastic body, and then secondarily absorbed by the plate elastic body. At the same time, the block type elastic body and the plate-type elastic body cooperate with each other so as to render the shoe to move forward.
In construction, the inventive shoe described above is characterized in that at least one block type elastic body and at least one plate-type elastic body are combined with the outer sole of the shoe.
In general, a shoe includes an outer sole coming into contact with a floor, a shoe upper joined at the edge of the top of the outer sole, and a middle sole stacked on and joined to the top of the outer sole. In particular, in sports shoes or the like, an outer sole may include: an outer sole body which is formed from a flexible material, such as urethane or the like, so as to provide cushion, and the thickness of which is typically not less than 1 cm; and a plate-type or sheet type outer sole protection sheath, the top of which is joined to the bottom of the outer sole body, and the thickness of which is not more than 5 mm, the outer sole protection sheath being somewhat superior to the outer sole body in wear-resistance but still flexible.
The outer sole of the inventive shoe also includes an outer sole body and an outer sole protection sheath as described above, wherein at least one block type elastic body is fitted in the outer sole body, and at least one plate-type elastic body is interposed between the outer sole body and the outer sole protection sheath at the central area thereof.
That is, the length and width of the plate-type elastic body are smaller than those of the bottom of the outer sole body, wherein the plate-type elastic body is joined to the central area of the bottom of the outer sole body, and then the top of the outer sole protection sheath is stuck fast to the entire area on the bottom of the outer sole body, including the bottom of the plate-type elastic body.
The inventive shoe with the construction as described above is technically characterized by the block type elastic body and the plate-type elastic body, each of which will be described below.
The block type elastic body includes an elastic block formed from a material flexible but superior in restoration to the original state when it is elastically deformed, such as urethane, rubber or silicone; and a coil spring embedded in the elastic block, wherein the coil spring is wound in such a manner that its diameter gradually increases or decreases from one end to the other end thereof so as to form a truncated-cone shape or a truncated-pyramid shape, unlike a conventional cylindrical coil spring, which is wound to have a constant diameter.
At this time, in order to enhance the endurance of the coil spring, the truncated-cone shape is preferable to the truncated-pyramid shape in order to prevent the wire material of the coil spring from being bent. However, if desired, the coil spring may take the truncated-pyramid shape.
When forming such a coil spring, it is necessary to adjust the rate of changing the diameters of respective turns of the coil spring in such a manner that a turn with a diameter smaller than that of an adjacent upper or lower turn can be inserted into the inside of the adjacent turn without contact, thereby preventing a pair of neighbored upper and lower turns from being piled one on another or interfered with each other when the coil spring is compressed.
By being wound in a truncated-cone or truncated-pyramid shape, all of the turns of the inventive coil spring come into contact with the same plane if it is fully compressed against the plane, wherein the maximum height of the coil spring when fully compressed is substantially equal to the diameter of the wire material of the coil spring.
Of course, the coil spring cannot be fully compressed because it is embedded in the elastic block, wherein shock can be absorbed by the interaction between the elastic block and the coil spring.
The plate-type spring, which is a downwardly convex plate, may be formed from a metallic material, a hard synthetic resin, or the like. One plate-type spring or two or more plate-type springs can be stacked on and joined to the outer sole, as desired. Such a plate-type spring serves to upwardly move the heel of a foot.
That is, if the outer sole comes into close contact with a floor so that the plate spring(s) is elastically deformed in a plate shape, the elastic force accumulated in the plate-type spring helps the upward movement of the heel of a foot when the heel starts to move upward for forward walking, thereby making the walking easier.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a shoe according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an exploded cross-sectional view showing the shoe according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the drawings, the inventive shoe provided with at least one elastic body includes:
an outer sole protection sheath 21 formed in a shape of a foot bottom, the bottom of the outer sole protection sheath 21 coming into contact with the ground;
at least one plate-type elastic body 22 stacked on and joined to the central area of the top of the outer sole protection sheath 21;
an outer sole body 23 stacked on and joined to the entire area on the top of the outer sole protection sheath 21 including the top of the plate-type elastic body 22, the outer sole body 23 being formed with one or more depressions G on the top side thereof;
one or more block type elastic bodies 24 which are complementarily fitted in the depressions G of the outer sole body 23, respectively;
a shoe upper 25 joined to the outer sole body 23 along the peripheral edge of the top of the outer sole body 23; and
a middle sole 26 stacked on and joined to the top of the outer sole body 23, the middle sole being formed in the shape of the foot bottom.
Herein, the subassembly of the outer sole protection sheath 21 and the outer sole body 23 is referred to as an “outer sole 20.”
In addition, each depression G formed on the top of the outer sole body 23 may be formed as a through-hole extending through the outer sole body 23 from the top to the bottom of the outer sole body 23. The top surface of each block type elastic body 24 may be lower than, flush with, or higher than the top of the outer sole body 23 in the state in which the bottom surface of the block type elastic body is abutted against the bottom of the depression G when the depressions G are formed, or in the state in which the bottom surface of the block type elastic body is flush with the bottom of the outer sole body 23 when the depressions G are formed as the through-holes.
If the top surfaces of the block type elastic bodies 24 are lower than the top of the outer sole body 23, the initial shock exerted to the shoe is primarily absorbed by the outer sole body 23 and then secondarily absorbed by the block type elastic bodies 24. If the top surfaces of the block type elastic bodies 24 are flush with the top of the outer sole body 23, the initial shock exerted to the shoe is absorbed by the outer sole body 23 and the block type elastic bodies 24. In addition, if the top surfaces of the block type elastic bodies 24 are higher than the top of the outer sole boy 23, the initial shock exerted to the shoe is primarily absorbed by the block type elastic bodies 24 and then secondarily absorbed by the outer sole body 23.
As shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, each of the block type elastic bodies 24 includes:
a cone-shaped, cylindrical or polyhedron-shaped elastic block 24A formed from a flexible material; and
a coil spring 24B embedded in the elastic block 24A, the coil spring 24B being spirally wound in such a manner that the diameter of the coil spring 24B increases from the top end to the lower end thereof.
Also as shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C, although the elastic block 24A may be formed in various shapes such as a truncated-cone shape, an inverted truncated-cone shape, a cylindrical shape, a hexahedron shape, etc. as needed, the coil spring 24B is formed in the same truncated-cone shape. If desired, it is possible to adjust the entire cushion of the block type elastic body 24 by properly adjusting the external size of the elastic block 24A with reference to the external size of the coil spring 24B.
If desired, although the coil spring 24B may be a truncated-cone-shaped coil spring 24B, the diameter of which decreases from one end to the other end thereof, it is also possible to form the coil spring 24B as a truncated-pyramid-shaped coil 24B′ or a truncated-cone-shaped spring 24, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B.
In addition, although the number of the block type elastic bodies 24 may be varied depending on the application of a shoe, in which the block type elastic bodies are employed, it is desired to provide one elastic body at each of the front and rear halves of the outer sole body 23, wherein the front and rear block type elastic bodies 24 are preferably positioned at the front and rear ends of the top of the plate-type elastic body 22, respectively.
That is, when two or more block type elastic bodies 24 are employed, two block type elastic bodies 24 positioned at the front-most and rear-most areas with reference to the outer sole should be positioned at the front and rear ends of the plate-type elastic body 22 so as to maximize the interaction force between the plate-type elastic body 22 and the block type elastic bodies 24.
In addition, the plate-type elastic body 22 is stuck fast to the bottom of the outer sole body 23 forming the outer sole 20. However, because the plate-type elastic body 22 is downwardly convex, the longitudinal central area of the top of the plate-type elastic body 22 cannot be stuck fast to the bottom of the outer sole body 23, thereby forming a gap N in relation to the bottom of the outer sole body 23.
Of course, it is possible to form the outer sole body 23 so that its bottom is downwardly convex, or to forcibly bend the outer sole body 23 so that its bottom of the outer sole body 23 is downwardly convex, and then to make the top of the plate-type elastic body 22 be stuck fast to the bottom of the outer sole body 23.
However, rather than making the top of the plate-type elastic body 22 and the bottom of the outer sole body 23 be stuck fast to each other, it is also desired to form the gap N, as shown in FIG. 7, and then to form a plurality of projections E on the bottom of the outer sole body 23 at the area forming the gap N in relation to the plate-type elastic body 22, so that the projections E come into contact with the top of the plate-type elastic body 22, as shown in FIG. 8.
In addition, it is also possible to concavely form the longitudinally central area S_Cof the bottom of the outer sole body 23 as shown in FIG. 9, so that the gap N is always formed, and then to form a plurality of projections E on the concave area S_C.
If the gap N is formed between the plate-type elastic body 22 and the outer sole body 23, it is possible to use the elastic force of the plate-type elastic body 22 as much as possible. In addition, because the plate-type elastic body 22 is supported by the projections E, the plastic deformation of the plate-type elastic body 22, which is caused by repeated elastic deformation of the plate-type elastic body 22, can be prevented or minimized, whereby the endurance of the plate-type elastic body 22 can be improved.
At this time, the bottom ends of the projections E can be made to be in contact with or somewhat spaced from the top of the plate-type elastic body 22.
In addition, in order to reduce the shock transferred to the heel, it may be desired to form the rear area of the bottom of the outer sole 20 to be upwardly slanted, so that the bottom of the rear area of the outer sole 20 does not come into contact with the ground. In such a case, it is possible to form the outer sole body 23 of the outer sole 20 in such a manner that the bottom of the rear area S_Ethereof is slanted upward, and then to attach the outer sole protection sheath 21 formed from a flexible material to the bottom of the outer sole body 23.
Although the inventive shoe with at least one elastic body configured as described above is most effective when the block type elastic bodies and the plate-type elastic body are combined in unison, it is also possible to employ one of the plate-type elastic body and the block type elastic bodies as needed.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, the coil spring of the block type elastic body may be formed as a jar-shaped coil spring 24B, the diameter of which gradually decreases when approaching the opposite ends thereof from the vertical central area thereof, or as an hour-glass-shaped coil spring 24B′″, the diameter of which gradually increases when approaching the opposite ends thereof from the vertical central area thereof, rather than being formed as the truncated-cone-shaped coil spring 24B or the truncated-pyramid-shaped coil spring 24B′.
At this time, in order to prevent or minimize the contact of the turns of the coil spring, it is desired to form the coil spring in such a manner that the turns positioned opposite to each other with reference to the vertically central area of the coil spring have different diameters.
Referring to the jar-shaped coil spring 24B″ by way of an example, it is desired to wind the coil spring in such a manner that the diameter of the upward second turn from the vertically central area is different from that of the downward second turn from the vertically central area, i.e., the diameter of the upward second turn is positioned between the diameter of the vertically central turn and the diameter of the downward first turn, or between the diameters of the lower second and third turns.
According to another embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 to 17, the above-mentioned objects of the present invention can be achieved by an hour-glass-shaped elastic member, the diameter of which decreases when approaching the vertically central area from the opposite ends thereof.
The shock absorption structure of another embodiment of the inventive shoe includes an outer sole, the bottom of which is inclined upwardly in relation to the ground from the longitudinal center to the rear end thereof, and at least one hour-glass-shaped elastic member which is joined to the bottom of the rear area of the outer sole.
With the shock absorption structure of the present embodiment, the upwardly inclined rear area of the outer sole is adapted to primarily absorb external shock, and the hour-glass-shaped elastic member is adapted to secondarily absorb the elastic de-formation of the outer sole. The functions of the upwardly inclined rear area and the elastic member will be described below.
A shoe body including a shoe upper is joined to the top of the outer sole, wherein the front area from the front end to longitudinally central area of the bottom of the outer sole is adapted to come into contact with the ground but the rear area from the central area to the rear end of the bottom of the outer sole is upwardly inclined when approaching to the rear end, so that the rear area does not come into contact with the ground. As to the external shock, the rear area is vertically deformed with reference to the boundary between the front area and the rear area, which serves as the center of action, whereby the external shock is primarily absorbed by the deformation of the rear area.
If the external shock is too strong, the rear area of the outer sole may be excessively deformed elastically to such an extent that the bottom of the rear area comes into contact with the ground, and if such a condition is repeated, the elasticity of the outer sole may be abruptly deteriorated or damaged.
In order to compensate this disadvantage and to more effectively absorb the external shock, at least one hour-glass-shaped elastic member is combined under the bottom of the rear area of the outer sole.
The hour-glass-shaped elastic member has a circular horizontal cross-section, wherein the diameter of the elastic member gradually decreases when approaching the center from the top end joined to the bottom of the rear area of the outer sole, and then gradually increases when approaching the bottom end, which will come into contact with the ground, from the center. That is, the elastic member is formed in an hour-glass shape, the upper part of which is an inverted truncated-cone shape elastic member and the lower part of which is a truncated-cone shape.
The hour-glass-shaped elastic member is employed so as to more effectively absorb the external shock exerted to the shoe. If a cylindrical or thick-pad type elastic member, the horizontal cross-section of which is not varied depending on the height thereof, is employed, it is inevitable that the compressible height, i.e. the elastic displacement be very short because the elastic member is compressed in the vertical direction. In addition, because the shock is absorbed through a very short distance, the shock absorption is executed rapidly rather than gradually. As a result, it may be difficult to keep one's balance due to the inertia induced by the rapid shock absorption.
In other words, the shock absorption by such an elastic member should be executed rapidly and through a sufficiently long elastic displacement so as to provide the optimum sense of stability. Because the inventive hour-glass-shaped elastic member is configured in such a manner that the diameter of the elastic member increases when approaching the opposite ends thereof from the vertically central area, the diameter of which is the smallest in the elastic member, the pressure components directed toward the core area of the elastic member are minimized. As a result, the compressible elastic displacement increases, so that the external shock can be more effectively absorbed.
For example, assuming that an elastic member is formed with a plate-type central elastic body with a diameter of 5 mm, and plate-type top and bottom elastic bodies with a diameter of 6 mm, which are joined to the top and bottom sides of the central elastic body, respectively, and compressive force is applied to the top of the elastic member, the peripheral marginal areas of the top and bottom elastic bodies are pressed without compressing the central elastic body, although the central areas of the top and bottom elastic bodies compress the central elastic body.
That is, the peripheral marginal areas of the top and bottom elastic bodies have an elastic displacement longer than that of the central areas thereof. Such an effect can be maximized if an hour-glass-shaped coil spring is employed which is formed by winding a wire from the top end to the bottom end of the coil spring in such a manner that the diameter of the coil spring gradually decreases from the top end to the central area and then gradually increases from the central area to the bottom end.
If compressive force is exerted to the hour-glass-shaped coil spring, the hour-glass-shaped coil spring is compressed until the top and bottom ends of the coil spring is engaged with each other. Therefore, the hour-glass-shaped coil spring has a compressive displacement which is not less than several times of that of a conventional cylindrical coil spring, whereby the hour-glass-shaped can more effectively absorb external shock.
If the hour-glass-shaped coil spring has the same compressive displacement as a cylindrical coil spring, it is possible to reduce the length of the hour-glass-shaped coil spring as compared to the cylindrical coil spring. As a result, the construction for combining the hour-glass-shaped coil spring with the shoe can be miniaturized.
In addition, because such a conventional cylindrical coil spring takes a spirally wound construction with a constant diameter, two adjacent turns of the coil spring come into contact with each other when the coil spring is compressed, thereby producing contact noise. Such a disadvantage can be naturally eliminated by the hour-glass-shaped coil spring.
With the inventive elastic construction with an elastic member being combined with the bottom of the outer sole of a shoe, the bottom end of the elastic member comes into contact with the ground. As such, the bottom end of the elastic member may be readily worn or damaged.
Therefore, it is also preferable if a bottom member is provided, which includes front and rear areas, the top of the front area of the bottom member is stuck fast to the bottom of the front area of the outer sole, and the rear area is spaced from the bottom of the rear area of the outer sole, and the bottom end of the hour-glass-shaped coil spring is joined to the bottom member at a side of the top of the rear area of the bottom member.
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a shoe with the inventive shock absorption construction, and FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the inventive shock absorption construction.
As shown in the drawings, the inventive shock absorption construction for a shoe with an elastic body includes:
an outer sole 100 having a front area from the front end to the center in the longitudinal direction thereof and a rear area from the center to the rear end, the bottom of the front area coming contact with the ground, and the bottom of the rear area being upwardly inclined in relation to the ground so that it does not come into contact with the ground, wherein a shoe body including a shoe upper 110 is joined to the top of the outer sole 100; and
at least one hour-glass-shaped elastic member 200 joined to the bottom of the rear area of the outer sole 100, the diameter of the hour-glass-shaped elastic member 200 gradually decreasing from the top end to the center of the height and then gradually increasing from the center to the bottom end.
At this time, if the height of the bottom of the rear end of the outer sole 100, H, is too high, excessive force is exerted to the front end of the foot, thereby tensioning the calf of the leg. If so, the shoe wearer may feel inconvenience. If the height H is too low, the bottom of the rear area of the outer sole 100 may come into contact with the ground due to the body weight of the shoe wearer. If so, the external shock exerted to the outer sole may be directly transferred to the body of the shoe wearer. As a result, the height of the rear end of the outer sole 100, H, should be determined in consideration of the shock transferred to the shoe wearer when walking or exercising.
The hour-glass-shaped elastic member 200 may be variously formed. The most preferable elastic member is formed by winding a wire material in such a manner that the diameter of the elastic member gradually decreases from the top end to the center of the elastic member 200, and then increases from the center to the bottom end, like the hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210 shown in FIG. 13, as will be described below in detail.
The hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210 takes a construction formed by a pair of truncated-cone-shaped elastic bodies which are equal to each other in shape, wherein one elastic body is joined to another elastic body on the top of the other elastic body in the inverted posture. More specifically, the upper elastic body takes a form of an inverted truncated-cone shape, the diameter w of which is gradually reduced from the top end to the bottom end thereof, and the lower elastic body takes a form of a truncated-cone shape, the diameter w of which gradually increases from the top end to the bottom end thereof.
Therefore, if the upper and lower halves of the hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210 are fully compressed, all of the turns of the upper and lower halves form a coplanar spiral shape without forming a stack arrangement, unlike a cylindrical coil spring 11.
For example, if a hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210 with ten (10) turns for each of the upper and lower halves and a cylindrical coil spring 11 with twenty (20) turns are fully compressed, the minimum height of the hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210 is merely two (2) times of the diameter of the wire material of the coil spring 210, while the minimum height of the cylindrical coil spring 11 is twenty (20) times of the wire material of the coil spring 11. This is because the turns of the upper and lower halves of the hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210 form a coplanar arrangement when the coil spring 210 is fully compressed.
That is, if the hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210 and the cylindrical coil spring 11 are equal to each other in maximum height h_i', the minimum height h₂′ of the hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210 is merely one tenth of that of the cylindrical coil spring 11.
Such an hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210 may be directly employed in an outer sole 100 of a shoe as an elastic member 200. However, because such a spring is generally formed from a metallic material, in particular from a carbon-steel which is poor in corrosion resistance, the surface of the spring rusts within a short length of time, even if the surface is treated, whereby the appearance of the spring is spoiled and the spring itself becomes damaged. Therefore, it is desired to cover the surface of the spring with an elastic flexible material, such as poly-urethane, silicone, rubber or the like.
More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 14 a and 14 b, such an elastic member 200 combined with the outer sole 100 may consist of an hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210 and a synthetic resin sheath 220 enclosing the entire surface of the coil spring 210. By additionally covering the coil spring 210 with the sheath 220 as a flexible elastic body, the elasticity of the hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210 is reinforced, while the endurance of the coil spring 210 is also improved.
In addition, if the sheath 220 only encloses the outer peripheral area of the hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210, a space R sealed from the outside is formed within the hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210. As a result, the space R serves as an air spring, thereby further enhancing the elasticity of the elastic member 200.
In addition, it is also possible to provide a sheath 220′ covering the peripheral surface of the wire material of the hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210, as shown in FIG. 15.
That is, it is possible to coat the wire material of the hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210 with the material of the sheath and then to fabricate the hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210 with the coated wire material.
At this time, the bottom of the elastic member 200 configured as described above comes into contact with a floor, i.e. the ground, thereby being continuously subjected to frictional force. As a result, the sheath 220 or 220′ may be easily worn.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 16, it is preferable to combine a bottom member 300 with the outer sole in such a manner that the top of the front area S_Fof the bottom member 300 is stuck fast to the bottom of the front area of the outer sole 100, while the top of the rear area S_Rof the bottom member 300 is spaced from the bottom of the rear area of the outer sole 100.
As being engaged with the top of the bottom member 300, the bottom of the elastic member 200 can be protected from the friction with the ground. In addition, if the bottom member 200 is formed from a highly elastic member, the entire shock absorption capability of the shoe can be enhanced.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 17, it is also preferable to interpose a separate shock absorption member 400 between the outer sole 100 and the bottom member 300, and to embed at least one elastic member 200 into the shock absorption member 400, so that the elastic members 200 are not exposed to the outside and the cushion of the shoe can be further improved by the shock absorption member 400.
If two or more elastic members 200 are embedded, depending on the use of the shoe, it is possible to employ the elastic members in such a manner that all the elastic members have the same elasticity, or the elasticity increases or decreases from the front elastic member to the rear elastic member. In addition, the bottom member 300 and the shock absorption member 400 may be integrally formed.
The inventive elastic member combined shoe structure is not limited to but can be applied to any types of shoes having an outer sole, including special-purpose shoes, such as sports shoes, slippers, men's shoes, mountain-climbing boots, safety shoes, medical shoes, etc.

Claims

1. A shoe with an outer sole, a shoe upper, and a middle sole, comprising:

an outer sole protection sheath 21 formed in a shape of a foot bottom, the bottom of the outer sole protection sheath coming into contact with the ground;

at least one plate-type elastic body 22 stacked on and joined to the central area of the top of the outer sole protection sheath 21;

an outer sole body 23 stacked on and joined to the entire area on the top of the outer sole protection sheath 21 including the top of the plate-type elastic body 22, the outer sole body 23 being formed with at least one depression G or through-hole on the top side thereof, the through-hole being formed when the bottom of the depression G is removed; and

at least one block type elastic body 24 which is fitted in the depression G or through-hole of the outer sole body 23.

2. A shoe with an outer sole, a shoe upper, and a middle sole, comprising:

an outer sole body 23 stacked on and joined to the top of the outer sole protection sheath 21, the outer sole body 23 being formed with at least one depression G or through-hole on the top side thereof, the through-hole being formed when the bottom of the depression G is removed; and

3. The shoe as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the block type elastic body 24 comprises:

a cylindrical or polyhedron-shaped elastic block 24A formed from a flexible material; and

a coil spring embedded in the elastic block 24A the coil spring being selected from a truncated-cone-shaped coil spring 24B spirally wound in such a manner that the diameter of the coil spring 24B increases from one end to the other end thereof, a truncated-pyramid-shaped coil spring 24B′ wound in such a manner that the horizontal cross-sectional area of the coil spring 24B′ gradually increases from one end to the other end thereof, a jar-shaped coil spring 24B″, the diameter of which gradually decreases when approaching the opposite ends thereof from the vertically central area thereof, and an hour-glass-shaped coil spring 24B″, the diameter of which gradually increases when approaching the opposite ends from the vertically central area thereof.

4. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plate-type elastic body 22 is downwardly convex.

5. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein a gap N is formed between the bottom of the outer sole body and the top of the plate-type elastic body 22.

6. The shoe as claimed in claim 5, wherein the outer sole body 23 forming the gap N has a plurality of projections E formed on the bottom thereof.

7. The shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer sole body 23 has a rear end area, the bottom S_Eof which is upwardly inclined so that it does not come into contact with the ground.

8. A shoe having a shock-absorption structure, which comprises:

an outer sole 100 with a longitudinal front area from the front end to the central area in the longitudinal direction, and a longitudinal rear area from the central area to the rear end in the longitudinal direction, the bottom of the longitudinal front area coming into contact with the ground, and the bottom of the longitudinal rear area being inclined upwardly so that it does not come into contact with the ground; and

at least one hour-glass-shaped elastic member 200 combined with the outer sole, the elastic member having a diameter w, which gradually decreases from the top end thereof engaged with the bottom of the rear area to the center thereof, and then gradually increases from the center to the bottom end thereof engaged with the ground.

9. The shoe as claimed in claim 8, wherein the elastic member 200 comprises:

an hour-glass-shaped coil 210 spring wound in such a manner that its diameter w gradually decreases from the top end to the center thereof, and then gradually increases from the center to the bottom end thereof; and

a sheath 220 enclosing the outside of the hour-glass-shaped coil spring in such a manner that a sealed space R is formed within the inner diameter of the hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210.

10. The shoe as claimed in claim 8, wherein the elastic member 200 comprises:

an hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210 wound in such a manner that its diameter w gradually decreases from the top end to the center thereof, and then gradually increases from the center to the bottom end thereof; and

a sheath 220′ enclosing the periphery of a wire material for use in forming the hour-glass-shaped coil spring 210.

11. The shoe as claimed in claim 9 or 10, wherein the sheath 220 or 220′ is formed from a material selected from a group consisting of polyurethane, silicone, and rubber.

12. A shoe having a shock-absorption structure, which comprises:

a bottom member 300 formed in a shape of a foot bottom, the bottom of the bottom member 300 coming into contact with the ground; and

an outer sole 100 stacked on the top of the bottom member 100 in such a manner that the bottom of the outer sole 100 is stuck fast to the top of the front area of the bottom member, S_F, in the area from the front end to the central area in the longitudinal direction thereof, and is inclined upwardly in the area from the central area to the rear end thereof in the longitudinal direction thereof so that it does not come into contact with the top of the rear area of the bottom member, S_R; and

13. The shoe as claimed in claim 12, wherein the elastic member 200 comprises:

14. The shoe as claimed in claim 12, wherein the elastic member 200 comprises:

15. The shoe as claimed in claim 13 or 14, wherein the sheath 220 or 220′ is formed from a material selected from a group consisting of polyurethane, silicone, and rubber.

16. The shoe as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a shock-absorption member 400 interposed between the outer sole 100 and the bottom member 300, wherein the at least one elastic member 200 is embedded in the shock-absorption member 400.

17. The shoe as claimed in claim 16, wherein the bottom member 300 and the shock-absorption member 400 are integrally formed with each other.