Shoe with viscoelastic interior liner

Abstract

A shoe whose upper has an interior liner with a layer contiguous to the foot, provided with a structure having of a viscoelastic substance assembled to a flexible and elastic film. The substance is characterized in that the viscoelastic substance is provided with a high elastic deformation capacity with a low elastic modulus, and in that it is obtained in a thickness from 1 to 5 millimeters. The layer thus structured tends to flatten naturally on the foot and behaves in the manner of a “double skin” that filters the vibrations and the impacts, and which absorbs the micro displacements while preserving the transmission of the tactile sensations.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A shoe comprising: 
 an upper having an interior liner with a layer contiguous to a user's foot, said liner including, at least over a predetermined zone, with a structure comprising a viscoelastic substance bonded to a flexible and elastic film, said flexible and elastic film being adapted to be in direct contact with the foot, said viscoelastic substance being a non-compressible material and having a low elastic modulus, said viscoelastic substance being in the form of a thin sheet of polymer gel having a density comprised between about 1 and 2 g/cm 3 , and a behavior characterized by a “delayed” elasticity and an elongation at break capacity greater than 400%.    
     
     
         2 . A shoe according to    claim 1   , wherein the viscoelastic substance is characterized by an elongation at break capacity comprised between about 700 and about 900%.  
     
     
         3 . A shoe according to    claim 1   , wherein the viscoelastic substance comprises a thickness comprised between about 2 and 5 millimeters.  
     
     
         4 . A shoe according to    claim 1   , wherein the viscoelastic substance is contained in an envelope made of a flexible and elastic film.  
     
     
         5 . A shoe according to    claim 1   , wherein the interior liner covers a comfort padding that is inserted between the viscoelastic substance and the boot upper.  
     
     
         6 . A shoe according to    claim 5   , wherein the viscoelastic substance is partially housed in the comfort padding on a side directed toward the user's foot.  
     
     
         7 . A shoe according to    claim 6   , wherein the layer of the interior liner that is contiguous to the foot comprises a plurality of predetermined zones each provided with a structure composed of a viscoelastic substance bonded to a flexible and elastic film.  
     
     
         8 . A shoe according to    claim 7   , wherein each of the predetermined zones has a structure which, composed of a viscoelastic substance bonded to a flexible and elastic film, has a different thickness from a predetermined zone to another predetermined zone.  
     
     
         9 . A shoe according to    claim 1   , wherein the viscoelastic substance has an Asker C hardness from about 15 to about 45.  
     
     
         10 . A shoe according to    claim 1   , wherein the viscoelastic substance has an Asker C hardness from about 25 to about 30.