Support Plate Configured to Be Arranged in a Sole Structure of a Shoe

This application claims priority to German Patent Application No. 10 2024 115 934.0, filed Jun. 7, 2024, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

The present disclosure relates to a support plate configured to be arranged in a sole structure of a shoe, such as a sports shoe (e.g., a functional fitness and/or training shoe). The present disclosure also relates to a sole structure and a shoe, such as a sports shoe (for example, a functional fitness and/or training shoe), comprising such a support plate.

Soles for shoes, such as sports shoes (for example, functional fitness and/or training shoes) are may have various purposes and use cases.

A shoe sole typically serves several different functions, such as diminishing or cushioning of the impact forces occurring upon foot strike and providing traction to avoid slipping of the user's foot. In addition, a shoe sole typically serves the function to provide a degree of stability to the wearer's foot, so that the danger of twisting the user's ankle or other kinds of injuries, for example injury to the plantar fascia or muscle overloading, etc., may be reduced. Yet a further function of a shoe sole, such as for performance footwear like functional fitness and/or training shoes, or weightlifting shoes, is to facilitate a good transmission of forces from the user's legs through their feet to the ground, and an efficient support of the stance of the athlete.

Users want to feel grounded and stable to improve body mechanics for efficient and effective workouts under, in particular, heavy loads. Thus, shoes that are grounding and stable and improve the user's body mechanics to achieve new maximum loads may be desirable. Most shoes currently available on the market are created with a soft midsole to provide cushioning or bounciness for e.g., running activities, or with a relatively stiff midsole for weightlifting activities or other activities that involve the handling of weights. Shoes for the latter activities may not provide the dynamic feel desired by users, and are often heavy.

Thus, it would be desirable to achieve an optimal combination of cushioning in combination with a support plate to stiffen the sole where needed while maintaining a flexible forefoot that has a dynamic feel (also described as snappy, rebounding etc.).

The present disclosure is directed to a support plate for a shoe. In some embodiments, the support plate may comprise a first portion located in a forefoot area, a second portion located in a heel area, and a third portion that can extend between the first portion and the second portion. The first portion may comprise fingers extending from the third portion that are configured to support the forefoot of the user. The second portion may comprise an aperture configured to provide cushioning for a heel of a user and wings configured to provide support to a heel of the user. The third portion may comprise reinforcement ribs configured to provide structural support for the support plate.

A first embodiment (I) of the present disclosure is directed to a support plate configured to be arranged in a sole structure of a shoe, comprising: a first portion associated with a forefoot area of the sole structure; and a second portion associated with a heel area of the sole structure, wherein the support plate is thinner in at least a part of the first portion as compared to the second portion.

In a second embodiment (II), the support plate of the first embodiment (I) comprises a middle portion associated with a mid-foot area of the sole structure, wherein the middle portion connects the first portion and the second portion, wherein the middle portion comprises reinforcement ribs.

In a third embodiment (III), in the support plate of the second embodiment (II), the first portion and the second portion are wider than the middle portion in a medial-lateral direction, and wherein the second portion is wider than the first portion in the medial-lateral direction.

In a fourth embodiment (IV), in the support plate of any one of embodiments (I)-(III), the second portion comprises at least one wing extending upwards to support a heel of a user.

In a fifth embodiment (V), in the support plate of the fourth embodiment (IV), the second portion comprises at least two wings being arranged opposite each other on lateral and medial sides of the support plate.

In a sixth embodiment (VI), in the support plate of any one of embodiments (I)-(V), the first portion comprises a middle portion connecting the first portion and the second portion, wherein the support plate comprises at least two fingers extending from the middle portion or the second portion towards a toe-end of the support plate, wherein at least one finger is arranged on a lateral side of the support plate and at least one finger is arranged on a medial side of the support plate.

In a seventh embodiment (VII), in the support plate of the sixth embodiment (VI), each finger of the at least two fingers comprises a hook, wherein the hook of the at least one finger on the lateral side is directed to the medial side and the hook of the at least one finger on the medial side is directed to the lateral side, wherein the at least one finger on the medial side is configured to support a big toe of a user.

In an eighth embodiment (VIII), in the support plate of any one of embodiments (VI)-(VII), an additional finger is provided between the at least two fingers, wherein the additional finger is shorter than either of the at least two fingers.

In a ninth embodiment (IX), in the support plate of any one of embodiments (VI)-VIII), the at least two fingers taper towards the toe-end of the support plate.

In a tenth embodiment (X), in the support plate of any one of embodiments (I)-(IX), the first portion has a thickness of greater than or equal to 0.5 mm and less than or equal to 5.0 mm and the second portion has a thickness of greater than or equal to 1.0 mm and less than or equal to 8.0 mm.

In an eleventh embodiment (XI), in the support plate of any one of embodiments (I)-(X), the support plate is configured to distribute a load over an entirety of a bottom of a foot.

In a twelfth embodiment (XII), in the support plate of any one of embodiments (I)-(XI), the second portion is stiffer than the first portion.

In a thirteenth embodiment (XIII), in the support plate of any one of embodiments (I)-(XII), the second portion comprises an aperture in the heel area, wherein the aperture is configured to provide additional cushioning for a heel of a user.

In a fourteenth embodiment (XIV), in the support plate of any one of embodiments (I)-(XIII), the first portion comprises at least two wings being arranged opposite each other on a lateral side of the support plate and a medial side of the support plate.

In a fifteenth embodiment (XV), in the support plate of any one of embodiments (VI)-(IX), at least one finger of the at least two fingers comprises a through hole, wherein the through hole comprises a shape that follows a contour of the at least one finger.

In the following, only some possible embodiments are described in detail. However, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, and a multitude of other embodiments are applicable without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The presented embodiments may be modified in a number of ways and combined with each other whenever compatible, and certain features may be omitted in so far as they appear dispensable. In particular, the disclosed embodiments may be modified by combining certain features of one embodiment with one or more features of another embodiment.

It is to be understood that not all features of the described embodiments have to be present for realizing the technical advantages provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure. The disclosed embodiments may be modified by combining certain features of one embodiment with one or more features of another embodiment.

Throughout the present figures and specification, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements. For the sake of clarity and conciseness, certain embodiments of components or steps of certain embodiments are presented without undue detail where such detail would be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings herein and/or where such detail would obfuscate an understanding of more pertinent aspects of the embodiments.

The indefinite articles “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless clearly contradicted or the context clearly dictates otherwise.

The term “comprising” is an open-ended transitional phrase. A list of elements following the transitional phrase “comprising” is a non-exclusive list, such that elements in addition to those specifically recited in the list may also be present. The phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the composition of a component to the specified materials and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s) of the component. The phrase “consisting of” limits the composition of a component to the specified materials and excludes any material not specified.

The term “component” according to the present disclosure may refer to, but is not limited to, a unit or module that performs a specific function within a larger system. A component may be, for example, a component used in the manufacturing process of a sporting good, such as a sole unit, a midsole, an outsole, an outsole element, a film or foil material, a sole plate, a shoe upper, a functional element.

Stated dimensions disclosed herein (for example, lengths, widths, thicknesses, etc.) include a range of +/−20% of the stated dimensions. For example, stated a dimension of 10 centimeters (cm) includes a range of dimensions greater than or equal to 8 cm and less than or equal to 12 cm.

Embodiments described herein may provide a support plate for a sole structure that enhances performance properties, such as targeted stiffness, flexibility, and dynamic feel while maintaining protection for the foot that allows for optimal force distribution under heavy load. Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a support plate for a sole that improves at least one of stability, good force distribution, and flexibility and rebound in the forefoot region. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also provide a shoe that feels dynamic and is less heavy.

Embodiments described herein may provide a support plate configured to be arranged in a sole structure of a shoe, comprising: a first portion associated with a forefoot area of the sole structure; and a second portion associated with a heel area of the sole structure, wherein the support plate is thinner in at least a part of the first portion as compared to the second portion.

By providing the support plate with different thicknesses in the heel area and the forefoot, it is possible to achieve a higher level of support and control in the heel area and more flexibility with energy return in the forefoot as compared to shoes without the support plate. The support plate may be arranged in any position in the sole structure, for example fully or partially integrated in the midsole, sandwiched between midsole and outsole, fully or partially integrated in the outsole, etc. To be associated with the forefoot area and the heel area of the sole structure, the support plate must have a certain minimum dimension, such that it can extend from one area to the other. The thickness of the support plate may be configured such that the desired distribution of functionality is achieved, for example, higher flexibility in the forefoot area and higher stiffness in the heel area.

The support plate may be flat (for example, within ten percent of being flat) as well as concave and/or convex, or the support plate may have any other plate-like shape. In an example embodiment, the support plate may have a plate-like shape.

The support plate disclosed herein may be useful in any kind of sports activity where the distribution of force is required, such as basketball, volleyball, handball, tennis, etc. The support plate disclosed herein may also be useful in activities that benefit from increased support and control of the user's stance, such as, but not limited to, weightlifting activities or functional fitness activities.

In some embodiments, the support plate may comprise a middle portion associated with a mid-foot area of the sole structure, where the middle portion connects the first and the second portion, and the middle portion may comprise reinforcement ribs.

The reinforcement ribs may provide additional stiffness and more stability for the support plate (as compared to a support plate without the reinforcement ribs) and thus the sole structure and shoe provided therewith. The reinforcement ribs may be provided in the form of an increase in material thickness of the middle portion, for example, the reinforcement ribs may be integrally formed with the support plate. Alternatively, the reinforcement ribs may also be separate parts that are attached, for example glued, onto the middle portion. In some embodiments, the reinforcement ribs extend in longitudinal direction, such as along the axis from heel to toe. In some embodiments, the support structure may comprise at least two reinforcement ribs, and the reinforcement ribs may comprise a longitudinal extension of greater than or equal to two centimeters (cm) and less than or equal to ten cm and may protrude from the surface of the middle portion by greater than or equal to two millimeters (mm) and less than or equal to five mm.

In some embodiments, the middle portion may be configured to allow torsion ability, for example, the first portion and the second portion may be connected by the middle portion such that a torsion movement is allowed between the first portion and the second portion.

As the present disclosure is directed to a support plate for a sole structure of a shoe, certain directions used herein refer to the terminology used in connection with shoe technology. Thus, the term “length” when used herein in connection with the support plate denotes a longitudinal direction in the heel-to-toe axis. The “width” is used to describe dimensions in the medial to lateral (ML) axis. In some embodiments, the ML axis may be perpendicular to the heel-to-toe axis (for example, within 20 degrees of being perpendicular). The “thickness” is used to describe dimensions in a vertical axis. In some embodiments, the vertical axis can be perpendicular to the heel-to-toe axis and the ML axis (for example, within 20 degrees of being perpendicular).

In some embodiments, the first portion and the second portion may be wider in the medial-lateral direction than the middle portion. In some embodiments, the second portion may be wider than the first portion.

The first portion and the second portion being wider than the middle portion allows the support plate to follow the anatomy of a human foot and can provide stability in the forefoot and heel regions, while at the same time providing sufficient torsion ability. Thus, the support plate disclosed herein allows some torsion flexibility along the longitudinal direction, which may increase comfort and versatility of a shoe provided with such a support plate. When the second portion is wider than the first portion, stability in the heel area may be increased. This may become useful for certain athletic activities that require a firm stance of the athlete, as for example when working with weights, or during functional fitness activities. Alternatively, the first and second portion may also be of the same width or the first portion may be wider than the second portion.

In some embodiments, the second portion may comprise at least one wing extending upwards (e.g., in the vertical direction) to support the heel of a user.

The wing may serve as a stabilizing or control element to support the heel and thus ankle of a user during exercise. The wing may for example have a semi-circular shape to surround the heel of a user. To increase the effectiveness of the wing, the wing may extend upwardly from the second portion by at least 5 mm, for example greater than or equal to 5 mm and less than or equal to 50 mm. In some embodiments, the wing or wings maybe integrally be formed with the second portion, or alternatively as a separate part that is attached to the second portion.

In some embodiments, the second portion may comprise at least two wings being arranged opposite each other on the lateral side and the medial side of the support plate. As mentioned above, the wings may extend upwards by greater than or equal to 5 mm and less than or equal to 50 mm and may be dimensioned and arranged such that the heel of a user fits between the two wings. In some embodiments, the wings may extend longitudinally from the second portion, for example between the heel area and the midfoot portion. This arrangement may increase the stability of such an equipped shoe in the heel area. It is possible, for example, to combine the support plate disclosed herein with a soft midsole made from, for example, a foam material, such that the shoe has good cushioning properties for walking, running or jumping activities and at the same time improved stabilization properties for weightlifting or similar activities, that benefit from a good guidance of the stance of an athlete.

In some embodiments, the first portion may comprise at least two fingers extending from a middle portion connecting the first and the second portion. In some embodiments, the at least two fingers may extend from the first portion towards a toe-end of the support plate. In some embodiments, one finger may be arranged on the lateral side and the other finger may be arranged on the medial side. In some embodiments, the at least two fingers may extend from the second portion towards the toe-end of the support plate.

In some embodiments, the first portion may comprise separate fingers that may be independently movable with respect to each other. The ability to move the fingers independently can increases the flexibility of the forefoot region. In some embodiments, the fingers may be directly joined to the first portion. In some embodiments, there may be a middle portion in between the first portion and the fingers, as described above and as it will be described in more detail in connection with the figures. In some embodiments, the fingers may extend to the toe-end of the sole.

In some embodiments, each finger may comprise a hook, wherein the hook of the finger on the lateral side may be directed to the medial side and the hook of the finger on the medial side may be directed to the lateral side.

The hooks may offer better coverage of the foot area (as compared to embodiments without hooks), by still offering the advantages of independent movable fingers. The hooks, which may form the ends of the fingers, may be arranged in the same plane as the rest of the fingers, which may be the plane defined by the longitudinal axis and the medial-lateral axis. In other words, the fingers may extend from the second portion or the middle portion towards the toe end and may be straight or provided with a slight curvature, so as to mimic the shape of a foot. In some embodiments, the end tips of the fingers may be angled with respect to the rest of the finger, by for example 45°, 90° or 135° or even more. In some embodiments, when the hook of the finger on the lateral side is directed to the medial side and the hook of the finger on the medial side is directed to the lateral side, the two fingers may form a partial circle, which may provide support to not only of the medial and lateral sides of the foot of the user, but also to the toe area.

In some embodiments, the finger on the medial side may be configured to support a big toe of a user.

By extending the finger to the region of the big toe of the user, it is possible to adjust the support and flexibility in the big toe area. When doing exercises, the big toe and the corresponding muscles in the foot have an essential role for stabilizing the footstep and transmitting forces from the user to the ground. Thus, supporting the big toe area may improve the overall efficiency of a shoe equipped with such the support plate disclosed herein.

In some embodiments, a third finger (for example, an additional finger) may be provided between the at least two fingers. In some embodiments, the third finger may be shorter than either one of the at least two fingers.