Patent Application
20120180344
This disclosure relates to outsoles for articles of footwear.
Articles of footwear, such as shoes, are generally worn while exercising to protect and provide stability of a user's feet. In general, shoes include an upper portion and a sole. When the upper portion is secured to the sole, the upper portion and the sole together define a void that is configured to securely and comfortably hold a human foot. Often, the upper portion and/or sole are/is formed from multiple layers that can be stitched or adhesively bonded together. For example, the upper portion can be made of a combination of leather and fabric, or foam and fabric, and the sole can be formed from at least one layer of natural rubber. Often materials are chosen for functional reasons, e.g., water-resistance, durability, abrasion-resistance, and breathability, while shape, texture, and color are used to promote the aesthetic qualities of the shoe. The sole generally provides support for a user's foot and acts as an interface between the user's foot and the ground.
One aspect of the disclosure provides an outsole for an article of footwear. The outsole includes an outsole body having a ground contact surface and defining grooves having a sinusoidal path along the ground contact surface. The grooves are arranged to provide an edge density of between about 40 mm/cm2 and about 200 mm/cm2 and a surface contact ratio of between about 40% and about 95%.
Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following features. In some implementations, at least some of the sinusoidal grooves are arranged substantially parallel to each other to provide an edge density of about 59 mm/cm2 and a surface contact ratio of about 67%. In additional implementations, at least some of the sinusoidal grooves are arranged substantially parallel to each other to provide an edge density of about 106 mm/cm2 and a surface contact ratio of about 91%. In yet additional implementations, at least some of the sinusoidal grooves are arranged substantially parallel to each other to provide an edge density of about 80 mm/cm2 and a surface contact ratio of about 84%. At least some of the sinusoidal grooves, in some implementations, are arranged substantially parallel to each other to provide an edge density of about 77 mm/cm2 and a surface contact ratio of about 90%.
At least one sinusoidal groove path along the ground contact surface may have an amplitude of between about 3 mm and about 25 mm and/or a frequency of between about 4 mm and about 50 mm. For example, at least one sinusoidal groove path along the ground contact surface may have an amplitude of between about 5 mm and a frequency of about 6.3 mm. Moreover, the corresponding groove may have a width of between about 0.1 mm and about 5 mm and/or a depth of between about 25% a thickness of the outsole and about 75% the thickness of the outsole. For example, the corresponding groove may have a width of about 0.4 mm and/or a depth of about 1.2 mm.
In some implementations, each groove has a sinusoidal groove path along the ground contact surface having an amplitude of about 5 mm and a frequency of about 6.3 mm. Adjacent grooves are offset from each other along the ground contact surface in a common direction by an offset distance of about 3.15 mm. At least one channel may connect two adjacent grooves. The at least one channel can have a depth of about half a depth of the grooves and/or a width substantially equal to a width of the grooves.
In additional implementations, at least one sinusoidal groove path along the ground contact surface has an amplitude of about 17.6 mm and a frequency of about 40 mm. The corresponding groove may have a width of about 1 mm and/or a depth of about 1.5 mm.
Each groove may have a sinusoidal groove path along the ground contact surface having an amplitude of about 17.6 mm and a frequency of about 40 mm, where adjacent grooves are offset from each other along the ground contact surface in a common direction by an offset distance of between about 3 mm and about 3.75 mm. For three consecutive grooves along the ground contact surface, a first groove may be offset from a second groove by an offset distance of about 3 mm and the second groove may be offset from a third groove by an offset distance of about 3.75 mm.
Each groove may have at least one shoulder edge with the ground contact surface. The at least one shoulder edge may define a right angle with a substantially non-radiused corner. Other shoulder edge configurations are possible as well, such as rounded, chamfered, etc.
The outsole body may comprise at least one of rubber having a durometer of between about 45 Shore A and about 65 Shore A, a rubber having a minimum coefficient of friction of about 0.9 and a durometer of between about 50 Shore A and about 65 Shore A, and a rubber having a minimum coefficient of friction of about 1.1 and a durometer of between about 50 Shore A and about 65 Shore A.
Another aspect of the disclosure provides an outsole for an article of footwear that includes an outsole body having a ground contact surface and defining grooves having a sinusoidal path along the ground contact surface. The grooves define a sinusoidal groove path along the ground contact surface having an amplitude of about 5 mm and a frequency of about 6.3 mm.
In some implementations, the grooves have a width of about 0.4 mm and/or a depth of about 1.2 mm. Adjacent grooves may be offset from each other along the ground contact surface in a common direction by an offset distance (e.g., about 3.15 mm). In some examples, the outsole includes at least one channel connecting the adjacent grooves. The at least one channel may have a depth of about half a depth of the grooves and/or a width substantially equal to a width of the grooves. Moreover, the grooves may be arranged substantially parallel to each other to provide an edge density of about 106 mm/cm2 and a surface contact ratio of about 91%.
In another aspect, an outsole for an article of footwear includes an outsole body having a ground contact surface and defining grooves having a sinusoidal path along the ground contact surface. The grooves define a sinusoidal groove path along the ground contact surface having an amplitude of about 17.6 mm and a frequency of about 40 mm.
In some implementations, the grooves have a width of about 1 mm and/or a depth of about 1.5 mm. Adjacent grooves may be offset from each other along the ground contact surface in a common direction by an offset distance (e.g., between about 3 mm and about 3.75 mm). For example, for three consecutive grooves along the ground contact surface, a first groove may be offset from a second groove by an offset distance of about 3 mm and the second groove is offset from the third groove by an offset distance of about 3.75 mm.
Each groove may have at least one shoulder edge with the ground contact surface. The at least one shoulder edge may define a right angle with a substantially non-radiused corner. Moreover, at least some adjacent grooves may intersect each other periodically along their respective sinusoidal paths. The grooves can be arranged substantially parallel to each other to provide an edge density of about 59 mm/cm2 and a surface contact ratio of about 67%.
In yet another aspect, an outsole for an article of footwear includes an outsole body having lateral and medial portions and a ground contact surface. The outsole defining a longitudinal axis along a walking direction and perpendicular transverse axis. The ground contact surface has a first tread region disposed on the lateral outsole body portion near a lateral periphery of the outsole, a second tread region disposed on the medial outsole body portion near a medial periphery of the outsole, and a third tread region disposed between the first and second tread regions in at least a ground striking portion of the outsole. The first and second tread regions define grooves having a sinusoidal path along the ground contact surface with an axis of propagation substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outsole. Adjacent grooves are offset from each other along the transverse axis by a first offset distance. The third tread region defines grooves having a sinusoidal path along the ground contact surface with an axis of propagation substantially parallel to the transverse axis of the outsole. Adjacent grooves are offset from each other along the longitudinal axis by a second offset distance.
In some implementations, the grooves of the first and second tread regions define a sinusoidal groove path along the ground contact surface having an amplitude of about 17.6 mm and a frequency of about 40 mm. The grooves of the first and second tread regions may have a width of about 1 mm and/or a depth of about 1.5 mm. The first offset distance may be between about 3 mm and about 3.75 mm. For example, for three consecutive grooves along the ground contact surface of the first and second tread regions, a first groove is offset from a second groove by an offset distance of about 3 mm and the second groove is offset from a third groove by an offset distance of about 3.75 mm. At least some adjacent grooves of the first and second tread regions may intersect each other periodically along their respective sinusoidal paths. Moreover, the grooves of the first and second tread regions may be arranged to provide an edge density of about 59 mm/cm2 and a surface contact ratio of about 67%.
The grooves of the third tread region may define a sinusoidal groove path along the ground contact surface having an amplitude of about 5 mm and a frequency of about 6.3 mm. In some examples, the grooves of the third tread region have a width of about 0.4 mm and/or a depth of about 1.2 mm. The second offset distance may be about 3.15 mm. The third tread region sometimes includes at least one channel connecting adjacent grooves. The at least one channel has a depth of about half a depth of the grooves of the third tread region and/or a width substantially equal to a width of the grooves the third tread region. The grooves of the third tread region can be arranged to provide an edge density of about 106 mm/cm2 and a surface contact ratio of about 91%.
Each groove may have at least one shoulder edge with the ground contact surface. The at least one shoulder edge defines a right angle with a substantially non-radiused corner.
For each of the aspects discussed, the outsole body may comprise at least one of rubber having a durometer of between about 45 Shore A and about 65 Shore A, a rubber having a minimum coefficient of friction of about 0.9 and a durometer of between about 50 Shore A and about 65 Shore A, and a rubber having a minimum coefficient of friction of about 1.1 and a durometer of between about 50 Shore A and about 65 Shore A.
The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements. By way of example only, all of the drawings are directed to an outsole for an article of footwear (e.g., a shoe) suitable to be worn on a user's right foot. The invention includes also the mirror images of the drawings, i.e. an outsole for an article of footwear suitable to be worn on the user's left foot.
Referring to
The outsole 100 may have a tread configuration designed for slip resistance. For example, the ground contact surface 110 of the outsole 100 may define a plurality of grooves or channels 112, such as siped grooves or slits, that receive water escaping from between the ground contact surface 110 and the ground as the outsole 100 is pressed against the ground (e.g., when the sole assembly 50 bears the weight of a user). Liquid can flow in the grooves or channels 112 toward a perimeter of the outsole 100 (i.e., away from weight-bearing and contact surfaces). The grooves or channels 112 may also be configured to provide flex regions of the outsole 100, such as in the forefoot portion 102 to accommodate toe lifting of a user or flexing during walking or running. The grooves or channels 112 may be adequately sized for liquid movement there-through, while deterring the accumulation of small objects therein. Moreover, the grooves or channels 112 may flex open (e.g., during walking or running), providing traction and water escapement from the ground contact surface 110. In some implementations, the grooves or channels 112 are cut into the outsole 100, while in other implementations, the grooves or channels 112 are molded with the outsole 100. The grooves or channels 112 can have a width WG of between about 0.1 mm to about 5 mm (e.g., 1.2 mm) and/or a depth DG of between about 25% to about 75% of a thickness T of the outsole 100. For example, for an outsole 100 having a thickness of 3.5 mm, the grooves 112 can have a depth D of between about 0.8 mm and about 2.6 mm (e.g., a depth D of 1 mm, 2 mm, or 2.5 mm). Siped grooves 112 may have a relatively thin width WG as compared to other types of grooves 112. Siped grooves 112 may be formed by razor cutting the groove 112 into the outsole 100 or molding the groove 112 with a relatively narrow width WG.
In the examples shown, the outsole 100 defines first and second tread regions 120, 130; however, the outsole 100 may define one contiguous tread region or many tread regions arranged randomly or in specific locations on the ground contact surface 130. Each tread region 120, 130 includes a corresponding configuration grooves or channels 122, 132 that provides traction on wet or slippery surfaces. The groove or channel configuration can be arranged to have a certain edge density and a certain surface contact ratio to provide a certain level of traction performance (or resistance to slip). Edge density can be defined as a length of surface edges of the ground contact surface 110 (e.g., the cumulative length (millimeters) of edges on the ground contact surface 110 from the grooves or channels 122, 132) within a square centimeter. In general, the greater the edge density, the greater the traction; however, manufacturability, aesthetics, resistance to wear and other factors may limit the edge density. The surface contact ratio can be defined as an overall area of the ground contact surface 110 minus a groove area of the ground contact surface 110 (i.e. an area of the ground contact surface removed for the grooves or channels 122, 132) divided by the overall area of the ground contact surface 110. In dry conditions, a surface contact ratio of 100% can provide the best traction; however, a ground contact surface 110 with no grooves or channels 122, 132 provides very poor traction or slip resistance in wet conditions. Therefore, a relationship or balance between the edge density and the surface contact ratio of the ground contact surface 110 can provide certain traction and performance characteristics of the outsole 100 in various environmental conditions.
The grooves or channels 112, 122, 132 of the outsole 100 can be arranged to provide an edge density of between about 40 mm/cm2 and about 200 mm/cm2 and/or a surface contact ratio of between about 40% and about 95%. In some implementations, the grooves or channels 112, 122, 132 of the outsole 100 are arranged to provide an edge density of between about 100 mm/cm2 and about 110 mm/cm2 and/or a surface contact ratio of between about 50% and about 95%. Moreover, the grooves or channels 122, 132 can define a sinusoidal path along the ground contact surface 110. For example, the sinusoidal path of the grooves or channels 122, 132 may be defined by the following equation:
y(t)=A·sine(ωt+φ) (1)
where t is time, A is amplitude, co is angular frequency and φ is phase at a time of t=0. Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In some examples, each grooves or channels 122 follows a sinusoidal path with an amplitude of about 8.8 mm (or 8.8 mm+/−1 or 2 mm) and an angular frequency of about 20 mm (or 20 mm+/−3 mm). Each grove or channel 122 can have a width WT of about 0.5 mm and/or a depth DT of about 1.5 mm. The outsole 100 can have thickness T of about 3.5 mm in the first tread region 120. In some implementations, the axis of propagation 125 of each grove or channel 122 is offset from the axis of propagation 125 of an adjacent grove or channel 122 by an offset distance OT of between about 1 mm and about 2 mm. Adjacent grooves or channels 122 can be arranged such that their corresponding groove paths merge at various or periodic groove intersections 127. The first tread region 120 may have an edge density of groove edges 123 of about 124 mm/cm2 and a surface contact ratio of about 65%.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 15-17, in some implementations, the second tread region 130 defines grooves 132 propagating in a wave pattern with an axis of propagation 135 (
In some examples, each grooves 132 follows a sinusoidal path with an amplitude of 5 mm (or 5 mm+/−1 or 2 mm) and an angular frequency of 6.3 mm (or 6.3 mm+/−1 or 2 mm). Each grove 132 can have a width WQ of about 0.4 mm, a depth DQ of about 1.2 mm. The outsole 100 can have thickness T of about 4 mm in the second tread region 130. In some implementations, the axis of propagation 135 of each grove 132 is offset from the axis of propagation 135 of an adjacent grove 132 by an offset distance OQ of between about 1.5 mm and about 3.5 mm (e.g., about 2.75 mm). Moreover, branch or cross-linking grooves 134 can interconnect adjacent grooves 132 (e.g., every quarter or half a wavelength of the sinusoidal grooves 132). In some examples, the branch grooves 134 extend in a direction substantially parallel to or at a relatively small angle (e.g., between about 1° and about 45°) with respect to the longitudinal axis 101. The branch grooves 134 may have a width WQ of about 0.4 mm, a depth DQ of about 0.6 mm (or about half the depth DQ of the other grooves and siping 132). The second tread region 130 may have an edge density of siping edges 133 of about 106 mm/cm2 and a surface contact ratio of about 91%.
Anti-slip characteristics of the outsole 100 may depend on the ground contact surface configuration (e.g., tread pattern, edge density, and/or surface contact ratio) as well as the material of the outsole 100. The outsole 100 may be comprised of one or more materials. In some examples, the outsole comprises at least one of natural rubber, rubber, 0.9 anti-slip rubber (rubber having a minimum coefficient of friction of 0.9 for a durometer of 50-55 Shore A), and 1.1 anti-slip rubber (rubber having a minimum coefficient of friction of 1.1 for a durometer of 50-55 Shore A), and latex, each having a durometer of between about 50 Shore A and about 65 Shore A.
A slip resistance test can be performed to determine a slip index or slip angle for different combinations of tread configurations and outsole materials to select a tread configuration and outsole material appropriate for a particular application, such as boating, fishing, or activities on wet surfaces. The slip resistance test can be performed using a tribometer (also known as a slipmeter), which is an instrument that measures a degree of friction between two rubbing surfaces. The English XL Variable Incidence Tribometer (VIT) (available from Excel Tribometers, LLC, 160 Tymberbrook Drive, Lyman, S.C. 29365) is an exemplary Tribometer for determining slip resistance for various outsole configurations. The VIT instrument mimics biomechanical parameters of the human walking gait and replicates a heel strike of a human walking (e.g., using a leg and ankle device). A leg of the VIT instrument is free to accelerate once a slip occurs, as with a real-world human slip event. For example, some testing instruments that drag across the floor at a constant rate do not account for what happens when humans slip and fall. Moreover, the phenomenon of “sticktion” may produce misleading results when a walking surface is wet and the testing instrument has residence time before slip dynamics are applied. Testing instruments that drag across a wet test surface generally experience a micro-time jumping motion that is a series of “sticktion-release-sticktion-release” cycles. The dynamics of the VIT instrument permits measurement of slip resistance in wet conditions because there is no residence time. ASTM F1679-04 provides a test method for using a Variable Incidence Tribometer (VIT). ANSI A1264.2 provides a provision of slip resistance in the workplace.
Table 2 provides results of slip resistance tests conducted on a number of materials having the same surface configuration in wet and dry conditions in accordance with ASTM D1894 measuring a coefficient of friction between a smooth sample material (i.e., flat without treads) and a metal surface.
Table 3 provides results of slip resistance tests conducted on a number of materials having the same surface configuration in wet and dry conditions in accordance with ASTM F1679-04 using a Variable Incidence Tribometer (VIT). A slip angle is the determined between a sample material and a test surface (e.g., a textured surface, Teak wood, Polyester-fiberglass, or metal). The sample material defined grooves having the third tread pattern (Q) 2000 described herein with reference to
Table 4 provides results of slip resistance tests conducted on a number of materials having the same surface configuration in wet and dry conditions in accordance with ASTM F1679-04 using a Variable Incidence Tribometer (VIT). The sample material defined grooves having the fourth tread pattern (T) 2100 described herein with reference to
The slip resistance test results shown in Tables 2-4 reveal that the 1.1 Anti-Slip Rubber having a durometer of 50-55 Shore A out-performed the other samples, while latex having a durometer of 60-65 Shore A and the 0.9 Anti-Slip Rubber having a durometer of 50-55 Shore A performed relatively well in comparison to the remaining samples as well. The selection of an outsole material for an outsole 100 may depend on the combined performance of the material type and a tread configuration of the outsole 100.
Table 5 provides results of slip resistance tests for different combinations of tread designs and outsole materials on Teak wood under 20 psi of pressure. A sixth sample is smooth with no treads as a control sample.
Table 6 provides results of slip resistance tests for different combinations of tread designs and outsole materials on Teak wood under 25 psi of pressure. A sixth sample is smooth with no treads as a control sample.
Table 7 provides results of slip resistance tests for different tread designs made of the 0.9 anti-slip rubber having durometer of 50-55 Shore A on Teak wood under 25 psi of pressure with a VIT instrument angle of 15°. A sixth sample is smooth with no treads as a control sample.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
This U.S. patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application 61/432,317, filed on Jan. 13, 2011, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61432317 | Jan 2011 | US |
